DR LEON CARP AWARD
2024 Dr Leon Carp Award Winner
Dr Fang Wang
Dr Wang currently works as a general practitioner at Box Hill Super Clinic, where he also supervises a RACGP Registrar as well as University of Melbourne medical students on their clinical placements. He is interested in men’s health, dermatology, geriatric medicine, paediatrics and chronic disease management.
His research endeavours are focused on enhancing the screening and management of osteoporosis within general practice. Initially, his project will concentrate on conducting a systematic review of osteoporosis guidelines from various jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. He will work closely with Academic Researchers Dr Andrew Donald and Dr Caroline McBride, both of whom possess extensive experience in areas closely related to Dr Wang's interests.
Dr Wang has also expressed a strong interest in pursuing a PhD at The University of Melbourne following his year of research.
2023 Dr Leon Carp Award Winner
Dr Valerie Quah
Dr Quah’s research sits within the Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Conditions research theme, focussing on diabetes among First Nations people. Valerie conducted her research from within Indigenous communities in Alice Springs, NT and was supervised by A/Professor Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis and Dr Rita McMorrow.
“I have seen so many patients with complex co-morbidities and complications of diabetes, it has ignited my interest to do my part in improving health outcomes and help in primary and secondary prevention of diabetes in the community," said Dr Valerie Quah.
"Many chronic illnesses today can be controlled and prevented with health education. This is where I can contribute as a GP; undertaking research in the Northern Territory where the rate of diabetic nephropathy leading to renal failure is among the highest in the communities,” she said.
Dr Quah's research project is a case study on a sample of pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes, who are attending a new pilot program at the AMS clinic she is working in - called Shared Medical Appointments. The participants have been fitted with CGM devices that are funded by the clinic. These are small, wearable devices that continuously measure glucose levels and record trends and patterns over the 24 hour period.
This is an exciting new space in the AMA clinic that only began last year. Valerie has been interviewing and following up with the women for a period of three months during their pregnancy. The results of the interview and data collected will be presented in April 2024.
About the donor
This gift, from the UHG Foundation, is made in honour and recognition of Dr Leon Carp.
Dr Leon Carp graduated medicine at Melbourne University in 1958 and spent his early years at Prince Henry Hospital. He explored a number of medical specialties but was ultimately attracted to the wonderful variety that General Practice offered. He worked in the inner Melbourne suburb of Prahran as the owner of High Street Medical Clinic for almost 60 years where he was revered and loved by his patients.
Leon was the quintessential General Practitioner, looking after families from cradle to grave. Seven days a week Leon would be available for his patients whether it was in his clinic visiting them at home, delivering thousands of babies at Margaret Cole's Maternity wing of the Alfred Hospital, Cabrini Hospital and other smaller hospitals. He also looked after workers in the local factories or doing short anaesthetics for his peers. He retired from clinical practice in 2019 at the age of 85 years.
This award is in honour and recognition of Leon’s dedication and service to the community and to the field of General Practice. Through the establishment of the Dr Leon Carp Award Leon will continue to make a meaningful impact on General Practice for many years to come.
About the award
As a result of a generous donation to The University of Melbourne, the Department of General Practice and Primary Care is able to offer an annual award to general practitioners interested in undertaking research to advance the practice of primary care through innovation (‘research field’) and improve health outcomes for patients in Australia.
This award is ideal for general practitioners and general practitioners in training who wish to learn more about undertaking research to drive innovation in primary care practice and policy from a solid evidence base and thereby improve human health.
The award is for General Practitioners who:
- Wish to develop their academic skills in research, scholarly approach to General practice education or leadership skills to have an impact in primary care, or
- Have an innovative idea which they believe could benefit primary care, and
- Are willing to work with and be supervised by University of Melbourne primary care research or teaching staff, and
- Will maintain an honorary position with University of Melbourne following the award.
The successful applicant will have access to research infrastructure and specialist research expertise (e.g. biostatistician). Regular research meetings and training are part of the research skill building program. Successful applicants can expect to develop or extend research skills and explore possibilities of further qualifications and potential career options as primary health care researchers.
Research theme areas
Ideally, applicants’ proposed area of research should fall within the current research themes of the Department of General Practice and Primary Care as detailed on the website. However, other areas will be considered and can be further discussed with the Director of Research Training and/or the Research Theme Leaders before applying.
Benefits
The value of these awards range from $15,000 to $18,000 per annum, depending on the level and time commitment required. Payment methods, terms and conditions will be in accordance with University policy and procedure.
Eligibility
The award is open to General Practitioners anywhere in Australia who are:
- GPs at any career stage, who are research novices or have limited current experience in research and are not currently engaged in research or academic development/work with other universities or research institutes.
- Early career GP researchers who are not currently engaged in research or academic development/work with other universities or research institutes.
Application Process
All applicants should apply by sending:
- A cover letter, stating
- How the award would contribute to your research/leadership skills and/or personal goals
- How your innovative research or idea would benefit primary care*
- Proposed time commitment to research (e.g. one day per week for nine months, two days/week for three months)
*The proposed research/innovation area will ideally be based within our research theme areas, however we are happy to consider other primary care research areas (if applicants first discuss these ideas with the Director, Research Training at m.temple-smith@unimelb.edu.au).
- A brief curriculum vitae, including name, phone number, email address, tertiary qualifications, experience in primary health care and any prior research experience.
Submit application to: gp-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au with the subject header: ‘Dr Leon Carp Award Application 2024’.
Application period
Applications close 30 November of each year.
Successful applicants will start their placement in the following February for a period of 9-12 months.
Enquiries
If you have any questions about this award, please email gp-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au