Dr Linny Phuong wins AMA Doctor in Training 2017 Award

A junior doctor and researcher, whose experiences as the child of refugee parents inspired her to establish a health promotion charity for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, has won the AMA Doctor in Training 2017 Award.

Dr Linny Phuong, a Paediatric Infectious Disease Fellow at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, was presented with the award by AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, at the AMA National Conference 2017 in Melbourne.

Dr Phuong is the second winner of the Award, which was introduced in 2016 to recognise outstanding leadership, advocacy, and accomplishments of a doctor in training. The recipient is awarded a place at the AMA’s Future Leaders Program.

Dr Gannon praised Dr Phuong, the founder and director of the Water Well Project, for her contributions to teaching, medical education, research, and doctors’ wellbeing, as well as her professionalism and compassion towards children and their families.

“Dr Phuong exemplifies the characteristics of a caring doctor, an inspiring leader, and a tireless philanthropist and humanitarian,” Dr Gannon said.

Dr Phuong is highly regarded by her peers at the Royal Children’s Hospital where, as Deputy Chief Resident, she is in charge of the doctors’ wellbeing portfolio. She is also a successful medical researcher, having published several papers.

“But, as her colleagues say, it is perhaps in the field of community service, and humanitarian and philanthropic contributions, that Dr Phuong goes above and beyond,” Dr Gannon said.

“Coming from a family background of humanitarian refugee parents, and having worked in primary care as a pharmacist before studying medicine, Dr Phuong is acutely aware of the challenges faced by refugee families in accessing health services.

“Five years ago, she founded the Water Well Project, a not-for-profit health promotion charity which improves the health and wellbeing of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by providing health literacy support and education.

“Dr Phuong is clearly a future leader in the medical profession, and the AMA commends her for her work.”

26 May 2017