Armidale physician receives highest honour

19 December 2007

An Armidale Hospital physician has been recognised by Australasia’s most esteemed body overseeing the practice of medical physicians.

Armidale based Physician Dr Sanjiv Lath has been made a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), making him a part of the peak body overseeing the training, education and representation of physicians across Australia and New Zealand.

In October 2007 Dr Lath, a specialist in general medicine, received official recognition from the RACP that granted him fellowship status in the organisation, a graduation from membership status.

Becoming a fellow of the RACP is the highest honour a physician in Australia and New Zealand can receive.

Dr Lath was humbled by the recognition saying that for him, this meant his hard work and commitment were being acknowledged by other experts in the field.

“It is a great personal achievement for me, I am grateful for the recognition of this organisation and it means a lot to me and my family to receive this honour and be recognised by my peers,” Dr Lath said.  

Dr Lath completed his medical training in Mumbai, India and left his home country for Australia in May 2005. Since then he has taken up posts around the country before settling into life in Armidale, which he maintains has been a good transition for his professional and family life.

“I am very happy in Armidale; I enjoy living in this community and it has been perfect for my wife Bindu and two teen aged daughters Aashna and Ishita who have settled into a new country,” Dr Lath said.

“The facilities here are excellent as is the staff at Armidale Hospital which makes my job much more enjoyable.”

Tamworth/Armidale Hospital General Manager Fergus Fitzsimons congratulated Dr Lath and said his induction into the RACP is not only a personal triumph, but also recognition that recruitment efforts for the rural sectors of the health service are succeeding in attracting expert skills and knowledge.

“I would like to congratulate Dr Lath on his outstanding achievement, he can now say he has reached the peak of his professional field and we are extremely grateful to have his expertise in our health service,” Mr Fitzsimons said.  

“Expertise like his can be extremely difficult to recruit to rural hospitals, and Hunter New England Health has shown it can offer something for experienced clinicians in rural areas.”

Contact: Nick Hansen

Phone: 49214918