Excellence in education: Celebrating our 2023 award winners
Recognising the dedication of our Rural Clinical School staff in fostering a rural, regional, and remote medical workforce, awards offer a recognition to staff who go above and beyond.
The 2023 Faculty Teaching Award for the Rural Clinical School was awarded to Dr Vanessa Greig, based at our Bundaberg Regional Clinical Unit.
Upon learning of her well-deserved win, Dr Greig showed deep gratitude for the award. She was touched by the generous comments and sentiments from the students who nominated her and expressed the joy she finds in guiding enthusiastic and engaged medical students.
“I always find it an absolute pleasure to be involved in the educational journey of regional medical students,” she said.
"Watching their growth and development over time to become competent and confident doctors is a privilege and a reward in itself
“Teaching in a regional setting, with relatively small student numbers, maximises their learning by fostering a supportive learning environment. It has allowed me to really get to know each student and to tailor my teaching styles to suit not only the cohort but individual student learning needs.”
Student nominations praised Dr Greig for effectively conveying extensive medical knowledge and fostering a safe space for learning.
Her inclusive and patient approach was commended, with students expressing increased confidence and gratitude for her impact on their growth.
“Dr Vanessa Greig radiates warmth and enthusiasm. She engages with students, imparts knowledge without an ounce of judgement regardless of how silly the questions or issues may be.
“Dr Greig is a supportive and involved educator. Her approach is one of patience and invested interest in our growth and learning. This results in the student cohort gaining so much more both in our knowledge but also through practical skills. Thanks to her, I am a more confident graduate.
“She is passionate about patient care and appreciates that we are the future generation of doctors.”
Rural Clinical School Director, Associate Professor Riitta Partanen highlights that Dr Vanessa Greig has made a huge impact to the RCS through her passionate teaching style.
“Dr Vanessa Greig is a great asset to not only the Bundaberg Regional Clinical Unit, but to the broader medical and medical education community," Associate Professor Riitta Partanen said.
"She takes the time to understand her students, their current level of knowledge and their preferred learning styles, and that shines through her work.
"The multitude of student nominations she received is a testament to her commitment to shaping the next generation of doctors through her excellence in teaching.
“I’d also like to extend my congratulations to all RCS staff winners, I know we have a number of winners of not only UQ awards but external awards too in 2023, and it’s a testament to the great teams we have at the RCS,” she said.
Dr Greig, in turn, thanked her students, acknowledging that teaching has been a mutually rewarding experience.
“I am confident that they will be wonderful doctors and an asset to the regional medical workforce.”
You can see the full list of Award Winners below; we congratulate all our winners.
Teaching Award Winners
- Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit – Dr Sandy Prasad
- Hervey Bay Regional Clinical Unit - Dr Himali Ihalagama
- Bundaberg Regional Clinical Unit - Dr Vanessa Greig
- Toowoomba Regional Clinical Unit – Dr Jason Zouki
- Rural and Remote Unit – Dr Anna Carswell
- Overall Rural Clinical School Winner – Dr Vanessa Greig