CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
THE RUDASA RURAL DOCTOR OF THE YEAR
(PIERRE JAQUES AWARD)

In 2002 the Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) inaugurated an annual award for the rural doctor of the year. The award is given to a rural doctor, working at the coal face, who is judged by the RuDASA Committee to have made a significant contribution towards rural health in the previous year. It is intended to be awarded to a practicing rural doctor rather than to someone who has made achievements in the academic arena. It is also awarded for a specific contribution within the previous year rather than for long service. The nature of the contribution is not defined given the great variety of work and activities of rural doctors.

The award was named after Dr Pierre Jaques, a founder member of RuDASA and a doyen of rural practice in South Africa. He spent most of his working life at Elim Hospital in rural Limpopo province and has been a tireless advocate for rural health and the role of the rural doctor in South Africa.

The award is a RuDASA initiative in cooperation with the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care. The award is made at the annual RUDASA conference.

The first recipient of the award, in 2002, was Dr Thys von Mollendorf, previously medical superintendent of Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Subsequent recipients of the award have been as follows:

2003: Dr Victor Fredlund, from Mseleni Hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal
2004: Dr Hermann Reuter, from MSF in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape
2005: Dr Nigel Hoffman from Rietvlei Hospital in the Eastern Cape
2006: Dr Vanga Siwisa from Taung, North West Province
2007: Dr Gert Marincowitz from Tzaneen, Limpopo Province
2008: Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, from Donald Fraser Hospital, Limpopo Province
2009: Dr JJ Ogole from Piet Retief Hospital, Mpumalanga
2010: Dr M Kekana from Hlabisa Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal

The RuDASA Committee is now calling for nominations for the Pierre Jaques Award for 2011. Any interested person may nominate a rural doctor working in Southern Africa for consideration of the 2011 Rural Doctor of the Year. Nominations should be submitted to Dr Elma de Vries at elmadv@cybersmart.co.za.

Nominations should be accompanied by details of the nominee, including his/her place of work and contact details, as well as a clear motivation as to why the nominee should be considered for the award. Nominators should also provide all their contact details in case more information is required. Please note that current members of the RuDASA committee are not eligible for nomination.

To download the nomination form, please click here.

The closing date from nominations is 30 July 2011.

The award will be made during the 15th Annual RuDASA Congress to be held in Rhodes Village.