Sydney neurosurgeon, Associate Professor Brian Owler, was today elected Federal President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), taking over from Dr Steve Hambleton whose three years in the top job have come to an end.
A/Prof Owler is a driving force and the face of the ‘Don’t Rush’ anti-speeding campaign, and he appears on billboards and in television ads warning of the risks and damage associated with road accidents. As a neurosurgeon, he sees the victims first hand.
He is also a prominent campaigner for stronger laws to minimise alcohol-related violence, and greater community education about the health harms caused by alcohol abuse.
A/Prof Owler actively promotes the benefits of vaccination.
A/Prof Owler said today that one of his first priorities is to have talks with the Government about the AMA’s concerns about patient co-payments and other Budget decisions, including public hospital and Indigenous health funding.
Melbourne hospital specialist, Dr Stephen Parnis, was elected Vice President.
Dr Parnis has vigorously campaigned on emergency access targets in hospitals and improving work conditions for hospital doctors. He has also worked to reduce the harm caused by smoking and alcohol in the community, stamp out attacks on health workers, and improve end of life care.
Their two-year terms commence immediately.
25 May 2014
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Odette Visser 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753