Distinguished Service Medal

Definition and Eligibility

The ARA Distinguished Service Medals (DSM) recognise individuals for exceptional, sustained and outstanding service to the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Australian rheumatology community. The DSM recognises individuals who, through their service over time, have ensured the growth and positioning of rheumatology in Australia in areas such as professional and clinical service and/or leadership, teaching and training, education, research, advocacy and policy.

From 2026, the ARA may award up to three (3) Distinguished Service Medals each year, reflecting excellence across the breadth of the Association:

DSMs for Rheumatologists

  • Up to two (2) medals annually
  • Reserved for rheumatologists
  • Recognise exceptional service to the ARA and the Australian rheumatology community through leadership, education, research, advocacy, policy, and professional contribution

Nursing / Allied Health Professional DSM (RHP DSM)

  • Up to one (1) medal annually
  • Reserved for ARA Nursing and Allied Health Professionals
  • Recognises distinguished and exceptional service to Australian rheumatology, particularly in nursing and allied health, across areas such as clinical leadership, education and training, research, advocacy, policy development, and service to patients and the profession

The Nursing / Allied Health Professional DSM is awarded in addition to the two DSMs for rheumatologists.

Supplementary information on the DSM criteria is available here.

Value

A medal plus certificate of acclamation signed by the ARA President will be presented at ARA ASM Conference Dinner by the President and the RHPSIG Chair (for the RHP DSM).

Awarded

  • Annually, up to 3 awards may be awarded.
  • DSMs are not awarded automatically.
  • If nominations are not considered to be of sufficient merit, no medals will be awarded in that year.

Application Process

To be eligible for the ARA DSM the member needs to be nominated by three current members of the ARA. Please keep your nomination confidential and do not inform the nominee. To ensure fairness and consistency, all nominations must be prepared independently and without input from the nominee.

The nominations for the rheumatologist DSM will be considered by the ARA Award Committee consisting of:

  • ARA President
  • Three past Presidents of ARA (chosen by the President and Vice President)
  • A senior physician from another sub-specialty who is not an ARA member (chosen by the President and Vice President)

The nominations for the RHP DSM will be considered by the ARA Award Committee consisting of:

  • ARA President
  • ARA RHPSIG Chair and a previous Chair
  • A senior rheumatologist or previous ARA President chosen by the RHPSIG Chair

Where possible, the DSM Award Committee should be balanced according to gender.

How to Nominate: Send a letter of nomination signed by three (3) members of the ARA and a copy of the nominee’s CV to:

To the ARA Secretary (via the ARA Secretariat)
Australian Rheumatology Association
PO Box 340
NEW FARM QLD 4005
Via email:  ara@rheumatology.org.au 

2026 applications are now open. Closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 22 February 2026.

Past Recipients

2025 Roger Allen and Stephen Hall
2024 Helen Cooley
2023 Rachelle Buchbinder and Philip Robinson
2022 Lyn March
2021 Not awarded
2020 Geoffrey Littlejohn and Louis McGuigan
2019 Jack Edelman
2018 Susan Read and Raymond White
2015 James Bertouch
2014 Kathleen Tymms
2013 Prue Manners
2012 Ken Muirden
2011 Stephen Milazzo and Laurence Clemens
2010 John Hamilton
2009 Leslie Cleland and John Edmonds
2008 Andrew Brook
2007 Peter Brooks and Julien de Jager
2006 Bryan Emmerson
2005 John Hassall and Ray Robinson
2004 John B Webb
2001 Brian Corrigan and John York