Associate Professor Suzi Nou has been awarded the Australian Medical Association's 2024 President's Award for her outstanding advocacy work on private practice.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said Associate Professor Nou, the immediate past president of the federal Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA), was committed to improving conditions for medical professionals and ensuring patients have access to the best possible care.
"Associate Professor Suzi Nou is an exceptional anaesthetist who is highly respected by her colleagues," Professor Robson said.
"As federal ASA president, she mitigated the impact of caring for public patients in private hospitals, particularly on work conditions.
"We want to honour Suzi for advocating strongly for specialists to maintain their independence, for public patients in private hospitals, amid the looming threat of bundled and managed care in the private sector."
Associate Professor Suzi Nou represents anaesthetists on the AMA Federal Council and works with the wider profession to improve work conditions for doctors and ensure their independence.
Associate Professor Nou said she was "deeply honoured" to receive the President's Award.
"This award and recognition shows the importance of supporting and strengthening private practice in Australia's healthcare system," Associate Professor Nou said.
"I am grateful to the AMA for acknowledging the significance of this work and look forward to further collaboration in advancing the interests of patients and healthcare providers in all sectors of the Australian health system.
"I understand how the public health system is connected to the crucial role private practice plays in providing high-quality, accessible healthcare to Australians.
"This award motivates me to continue working towards improving conditions for medical professionals and ensuring that patients have access to the best possible care — care delivered by clinically independent, non-indentured health professionals."
Associate Professor Nou's award was announced last night at the AMA's national conference, AMA24, on Queensland's Gold Coast.
