HIGHLY-regarded and universally acclaimed Foster doctor, David Iser, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division of this week's King’s Birthday honours.
Dr David James Iser, now of Barwon Heads, where he moved in recent times to support his daughter and son-in-law after they opened a medical centre in the area, as well as to be near his children and grandchildren after 40 years tending to the health needs of South Gippslanders, has been a very welcome addition to the team at Barwon Heads Family Practice.
He does, however, continue to see patients at the Foster Medical Centre regularly, both in person and by telehealth.
Speaking about the honour after a celebration lunch with family on Monday, Dr Iser admitted he was something of a reluctant awardee.
"When I was advised about it by email, my initial thought was there are so many unsung contributors to the community who do what they do without recognition, who deserve it more than me, but then I thought I've taught a lot of students over the years and felt it might encourage a few more of them to come out and practice in the country," said Dr Iser today.
"Plus there are a lot of people who support you with what you do and it's recognition for them as well.
"It's an honour to be named and when I got home this evening there were more than 50 messages waiting for me. I've tried to keep up with them but failed so far."
When David joined the practice at Foster at around the same time as another OAM recipient Dr Peter Baquie, in 1981, they came in support of legendary medico Dr Robert Fleming who had for many years done the job largely on his own.
"We shared the role but it was probably still unsustainable the amount of nights we worked, and weekends. Occasionally we'd work two nights and days in-a-row which really destroyed you.
"My daughter and her partner wanted to set up a practice in Barwon Heads and I said I'd go down there and support them but I still get back to Foster regularly."
David still keeps fit, riding to work, running and swimming, although he admits it's an electric bike!
Officially, he received the honour for “service to medicine as a general practitioner” but for his leadership role in the local community and his efforts in education, not to mention going above and beyond for many years it's an award that's richly deserved.
His list of achievements is long and include the following:
Education
- Senior Lecturer (since 2008) and
- Former Head of School Monash School of Rural Health,
Medical
- General Practitioner, Foster Medical Clinic, since 1981.
- Worked at Tennant Creek and Katherine with remote aboriginal health facilities, 2008-2009.
- Shire Medical Officer of Health, Shire of South Gippsland, 1989-2012.
- Member, Board of Management, South Gippsland Hospital, 1984-2005.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Life Member, 2015.
- Examiner, since 2008.
- General Practitioner Supervisor, College of General Practitioners, since 1987.
- Fellow, since 1983.
Other
- Co-ordinator, Sandy Point Musical events group, since 2017.
- Consultant, The Wind Turbine Parliamentary Committee, 2012.
Awards and Recognition include
- South Gippsland Shire Citizen of Year, 2010.
- Victorian Rural Doctor of the Year, 2008.
With this latest honour of an OAM he joins his long-time colleague at Foster, Dr Peter Baquie who also received an Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List for service to sports medicine.
Originally from Bendigo, Dr Iser is a GP with over 40 years’ experience in General Practice. The majority of this as a principal GP in Foster, South Gippsland where he has enjoyed a decorated career focusing on traditional family medicine, surgery and obstetrics where his work as a community leader and doctor earned him the South Gippsland Citizen of the Year award in 2010.
In 2012, when Monash School of Rural Health (SRH) South Gippsland was just getting started, Dr Iser’s leadership role was crucial.
An article in Foster Community online in 2014 reported on the success of the initiative in training doctors of the future. The facility started life in one room at the old Leongatha Hospital in 2010 before it relocated to the old Leongatha Primary School in rooms next to the gym.
In July that year, once the new hospital was completed, SRH staff moved into an existing facility on site. The pre-fab rooms, adjacent to the carpark, were used by the hospital’s Allied Health team before being taken over by Monash for the three SRH staff and year 4C medical students.
Leading the team was Foster GP David Iser who supervised the cluster. He is supported by clinical administrator Marlene Archbold and academic coordinator Jennie Casey.
The Monash SRH offered medical students the opportunity to train and work in Gippsland with regional sites in South Gippsland as well as Warragul, Churchill, Traralgon, Sale and Bairnsdale. In fact, its footprint extended throughout regional Victoria with students forming part of a rapidly growing multi-site school within the Monash Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
“A number of our students have returned to work in various roles in our region,” Dr Iser said. “They become fine young doctors, a tribute to all those people who help train them.”
Dr Iser said there was a huge benefit in Monash University providing opportunities for medical students to study and train in regional areas.
“Many of these students don’t want to spend the length of their course in a major city,” he explained.
“The school is committed to improving rural health and developing a sustainable rural health workforce by delivering excellence in education, research and research training.
“We can see this is making a difference.”
Dr Iser has “made a difference” to the South Gippsland, a very big difference, and for that this honour is richly deserved and generally acclaimed. Congratulations Dr Iser.