The RuDASA Annual Rural Doctor of the Year 2002:
The Pierre Jaques Award

In 2002, RuDASA inaugurated the rural doctor of the year award, to be awarded annually.

The award is given to a rural doctor at the coalface who is judged by RuDASA to have made the most significant contribution to rural health in the previous year - with the full breadth of the term significance allowing for the great variety of contributions rural doctors make. It is not given to someone for achievements in the academic arena, nor in recognition of long service, but rather to a practising, frontline rural doctor.

The award was named after Dr Pierre Jaques, a doyen of rural practice in South Africa, who spent most of his working life at Elim Hospital, in Limpopo Province, where his father before him had worked, and who has been a tireless advocate for the rural doctor in South Africa. (See photo)

The award is a RuDASA initiative, with support from the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care (Academy) and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). The prizes are co-sponsored by RuDASA, the Academy and SAMA. It is awarded at the annual RuDASA conference.

The first recipient of the Pierre Jaques Award was Dr Thys von Mollendorf, previously medical superintendent of Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This was given in recognition of his dedicated service as a multi-skilled generalist, his support and training of junior doctors, and his commitment to patients, despite political interference (he was dismissed for allowing a NGO supporting rape survivors to operate within the hospital). A humble and unassuming man, he received a standing ovation when he accepted the award at the annual conference in Sabie in August 2002. (See photo)

Nominations for future recipients of the award may be submitted at any time to the secretary, Dr John Tumbo (tumbo@lantic.net). Nominations should be motivated by 2 people and should clearly spell out the reasons the nominee is felt to be eligible. Neither the nominators nor the nominee are required to be RuDASA members, but the RuDASA committee reserves the right to decide on the winner.

Dr Pierre and Rachel Jaques, at the Sabie Conference.

Dr Thys von Mollendorf receiving the Pierre Jaques Award for Rural Doctor of the Year 2002 from Prof Ian Couper