Dr Paul Molina Chavez awarded Victorian GP of the Year

WANGARATTA'S Dr Paul Molina Chavez is this year's Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victorian GP of the Year.

Dr Molina Chavez was informed of his new title last week.

"Of course, I was very excited; it's a very nice surprise," he said.

A GP since 2011, Dr Molina Chavez has been based since 2015 in the rural city, where he is practice principal at the Wangaratta Medical Centre in Green Street.

Originally from Ecuador, he completed his bachelor degree in South America before moving to Australia in 2008 with now-wife Diana, who is also a doctor at the Green Street practice.

"I worked for 20 months in the Wangaratta hospital before we moved away (from the North East) and explored other areas, then we decided to come back," he said.

"We loved the location, the fact it is a place with lots of things to do, particularly outdoor, and there are lots of events in the winery regions.

"It's not far from airports - you can jump to Albury and then Sydney and the world is at your door - and it's big enough that you have everything you need but small enough that you can reach everything you need within 10 minutes.

"There is also a very good sense of community here, and we have always felt a part of it, and have built some good relationships."

The couple also found Wangaratta a great place to raise a family, and have welcomed children Victoria (8) and Julian (6) while living locally.

The opportunity to be involved in medical education locally, through the University of Melbourne, was also a drawcard for living and working in Wangaratta.

Dr Molina Chavez said he first felt called to a vocation in medicine when he was around 16 or 17.

"Before that, I was not sure what I was going to do," he said.

"Then, a friend of mine had an accident and I went with him to hospital and thought, 'I might like to do this'.

"I liked the excitement, the different things you have to do to treat a person, and also the teamwork involved."

While he had considered other specialties, including obstetrics, palliative medicine, and medical education, he was drawn to general practice.

"It allows you to do a bit of everything, and that continuity of care allows you to get to know your patients really well," he said.

"It's inter-generational care; we've met teenagers who are now in their 20s and starting families, and we're starting to look after their little ones.

"It's beautiful to be part of that - taking care of their health, and watching them thrive as a family of human beings.

"I really enjoy the variety in general practice.

"You can see the same person for a range of different reasons, and as a GP, you are also a counsellor, in some ways a friend, and a guide, so there are many different roles."

Dr Molina Chavez said for him, the RACGP Victorian GP title brought "a lot of joy and excitement, and also a sense of responsibility in regard to continuing to provide as good a service as I can to patients".

Criteria for the Victorian GP of the year award are: understanding and commitment to general practice; service to the public; and involvement in training and continuing professional development.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victorian chair Dr Anita Munoz said the award recognised the commitment of Dr Molina Chavez "to comprehensive patient care, from disease management to preventive measures and healthy lifestyles".

She said his compassion shone through in his care for nursing home residents and his involvement as a sports medicine provider.

Dr Munoz also highlighted Dr Molina Chavez' engagement with the community and passion for education in congratulating him on his achievement.