Anaesthetist, researcher and teacher Professor André Van Zundert has been awarded the Australian Medical Association's 2024 AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson presented the award to Professor Van Zundert at the conference, which is being held on Queensland's Gold Coast.
Professor Robson said it was a privilege to present Professor Van Zundert with the award in recognition of his commitment to medicine, research, teaching and volunteering.
"Professor Van Zundert's efforts in healthcare are exemplary, and they are matched equally by his efforts in many other fields," he said.
"Professor Van Zundert is a wonderful anaesthetist, anaesthesia researcher and teacher. He is also a volunteer supporting Brisbane's homeless Brisbane and has served with NATO Peacekeepers as military medical director."
As an educator and researcher Professor Van Zundert's record is extraordinary, authoring four major textbooks, seventy-six book chapters and more than five hundred scientific publications. He has given more than 850 international lectures and is ranked in the top two per cent of scientists.
"Professor Van Zundert shows us leadership and selflessness in his professional life and in his volunteering," Professor Robson said.
"Whether in his role as Lieutenant Colonel with NATO Peacekeepers or as a volunteer improving the lives of Brisbane's homeless Professor Van Zundert embodies the very best in humanity.
"I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to congratulate Professor Van Zundert with the AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award today."
Professor Van Zundert thanked Professor Robson and the AMA for the award saying it was "an honour and privilege to receive the award in the company of fellow AMA members today.".
"Receiving the Australian Medical Association 2024 Excellence in Healthcare Award feels like winning Olympic gold. It's a moment of immense pride and validation, underscoring the crucial role anaesthetists play in delivering safe and effective anaesthesia. I am profoundly grateful for this recognition and the steadfast support of my remarkable colleagues. This award celebrates not only our individual contributions but also the collective dedication and unwavering commitment of the entire healthcare community. Together, we strive to advance patient care and uphold the highest standards of excellence in clinical medicine. Thank you for this extraordinary acknowledgement."
Professor Robson also congratulated the other finalist for the award, Dr Anju Aggarwal, for her commitment to her culturally and linguistically diverse patients in Sydney's west.
For Background
Professor Van Zundert bio
Professor André Van Zundert is the Professor and Chair of Anaesthesiology at the University of Queensland, , who has published 4 major textbooks, 76 book chapters and 500 scientific articles. He has over 13000 citations and has an h-factor of 53. Professor André Van Zundert was the 2023 ANZCA Lennard Travers Professor of Anaesthesia. The University of Queensland honoured Andre's dedication to teaching and education with a Higher Education Academy Fellowship. In 2024, Professor van Zundert has been awarded the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Medal. He has served with NATO Peacekeepers as military medical director with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and holds multiple civil and military awards from both Belgium and the Netherlands. Professor André Van Zundert is a valued member of the Patient Safety Committee of the Queensland Clinical Excellence Commission. The Queensland ANZCA registrars in anaesthesia elected André patron of the Queensland Anaesthesia Registrars Research Collaborate.
