AMA SA's newest life members
AMA SA celebrated its newest Life Members at the Presidents’ Breakfast. President A/Prof Subramaniam commended their unwavering dedication to the medical profession and their role in setting a lasting example for generations of doctors to follow.
Dr William (Bill) Britten-Jones
Dr Bill Britten-Jones is a true family doctor, with the DNA of a primary practitioner built into his genetic make-up – his predecessors practised in South Australia from the beginning of the 20th century.
After graduating from the University of Adelaide, and motivated by a desire to help others, he opted for general practice for the range of work opportunities it presents, eventually developing an interest in geriatric medicine and palliative care.
He worked in general practice at Walkerville from 1980 to 2022.
Dr Britten-Jones said responding to the rapidly changing conditions and professional environment during the pandemic was the greatest challenge of his career.
Dr James Kosti
Growing up bilingual in Sydney’s inner suburbs during the 1950s, the young James Kosti was often asked to accompany patients as an interpreter – an experience that sparked his interest in medicine.
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 1973 and a period in Broken Hill, Dr Kosti has spent his career in general practice in Brighton and Adelaide’s beachside and western suburbs.
Drawn to general practice for its variety and the opportunity to serve multicultural communities, Dr Kosti focused on preventive medicine, especially educating patients – particularly Greek-speaking ones – on nutrition, exercise and stress management.
Professor Alexander (Sandy) McFarlane
Professor Alexander McFarlane AO, known as Sandy, is a world-renowned and influential expert on traumatic stress.
Professor McFarlane’s work has shaped global understanding of the psychological impact of war, disaster and childhood trauma.
A former Director of the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies at the University of Adelaide, he has advised the UN, governments and defence organisations around the world.
He is also called as an expert witness in cases involving the impact of trauma in workplace and emergency situations.
He has contributed to the Specialist Medical Research Council of the Repatriation Medical Authority, examining the issue of the nature of trauma exposure that leads to PTSD as a determinant of veterans’ pension entitlements.
He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2011.
Other accolades include his receiving the Robert S. Laufer Memorial Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
Dr Mark Nicholls
General practitioner Dr Mark Nicholls known throughout the Riverland for the care he provided to generations of patients in Loxton and Murray Bridge until his retirement in 2018.
With a special interest in obstetrics, he is privileged to have watched the children he delivered grow up, then support them as new parents.
In 2016, the Rural Doctors’ Workforce Agency honoured him for 35 years’ service to the health and welfare of his patients and the community.
Dr Nicholls says the AMA is important for ‘giving doctors a voice’ and for creating a community for sometimes isolated rural GPs.
‘I was very fortunate to have former AMA SA President Dr John Emery as my GP partner in Loxton,’ he says. ‘Dr Emery was a role model for his dedication to the AMA and what he achieved.’
Dr Roman Nowosilskyj
The young Roman Nowosilskyj began his medical studies at Flinders University before transferring to the University of Adelaide. He graduated in 1974.
In 1977, Dr Nowosilskyj opened the Northeast Clinic in Athelstone, where he demonstrated the importance of primary care in community settings until his retirement earlier this year.
A passionate sports fan, he has an interest in sports medicine and is a founding figure at the St Ignatius Football Club.
Associate Professor David Rosenthal
Associate Professor Rosenthal has spent more than 50 years serving patients as a rural in his Riverland community of Renmark.
In 2024, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine awarded him with its Distinguished Service Award for his five decades of dedication to rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare.
He has served on many ACRRM committees, with his service having a profound impact on healthcare delivery in rural South Australia.
He has mentored junior doctors and worked as a rural medical educator at Flinders University of South Australia, in addition to his role as Director of Medical Services at Riverland General Hospital.
Dr Richard Worthington
After graduating from the University of Adelaide in 1968, Dr Richard Worthington dedicated more than 50 years to supporting his general practice patients, most of them in Whyalla, before his recent retirement.
His training in obstetrics and paediatrics in New Zealand may have taken him down another path, but Dr Worthington opted for a career as a generalist in the regional city, with his patients benefiting from his skills in obstetrics, anaesthetics and emergency surgery, and his intense focus on patient care.
Dr Gil Blicavs
Dr Gil Blicavs spent his long career in general practice, with special interests in seniors’ health services, sports medicine, and keeping children healthy, including through immunisation.
He is known at AMA SA for his generosity to colleagues through support for the Medical Benevolent Fund of South Australia.
According to his Flinders University bio, Dr Blicavs is credited for persuading former AMA President and one-time government minister and Opposition Leader Dr Brendan Nelson to stick with medicine when he ‘hit a wall’ in the dark days of third-year medical school.
Dr Neil Gehan
Dr Neil Gehan began his medical journey at the University of Adelaide.
Over time, he developed a strong interest in psychiatry, drawn to its depth and the opportunity to build meaningful patient relationships.
He completed his psychiatric training at Glenside Hospital and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
After working in various government roles, including at Glenside and the Drug and Alcohol Board, Dr Gehan transitioned to private practice in Adelaide. He also ran a clinic at Murray Bridge Hospital for a decade.
A key highlight of his career has been co-founding and working in a group private practice since 1984, where he continues to consult regularly.
Dr Stewart Martin
Dr Stewart Martin is a country GP, a long-serving and well-regarded citizen of Tanunda and the surrounding area.
In 2016, he was honoured by the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency for 35 years of service to rural health.
Dr David Siang Lim Sim
Dr David Siang Lim Sim graduated in medicine at the University of Adelaide in 1975.
As an ophthalmologist, Dr Sim has dedicated himself to providing exceptional eye care to his patients and their eye disorders.
Dr Sim has spent his career ensuring each patient receives personalised care, seeking the latest advancements and techniques to deliver customised treatment plans tailored to their needs.
Dr Lawrence Williams
Dr Lawrence Williams studied at Flinders University and completed his clinical training at the University of Adelaide.
Dr Williams was in general practice from 1976, with interests in geriatrics, paediatric, dermatology, and general medicine.
He served in the Australian Army Reserve for 49 years, retiring as a Major after a career in which his dual roles allowed him to serve in both civilian general practice and military medical appointments across Australia.
Dr Williams spent 27 years at Florey Clinic and later continued in various practices until retiring at age 75 in 2023.
He serves his military colleagues again now as a volunteer at the Army Museum of South Australia.