Australian Medical Association NT announce Dr John Zorbas as new president, as Dr Robert Parker steps down after 11 years
The Australian Medical Association's Northern Territory branch has welcomed its new president, with longtime leader Dr Robert Parker stepping down. Find out who the new president is.
Dr John Zorbas has been welcomed as the new president of the Australian Medical Association Northern Territory (AMA NT) branch, with longtime leader Dr Robert Parker stepping down after 11 years in the role.
Dr Zorbas, a specialist emergency doctor and an intensive care doctor at the Royal Darwin Hospital, is a former AMA Western Australia junior doctor of the year.
He is also former chair of the AMA Council of Doctors in Training and the former AMA NT vice president.
Dr Zorbas said he was proud to be elected AMA NT president and would continue to advocate for both doctors and patients.
“I love the Territory, I’ve been here for almost 10 years now and I’m very keen to take over the leadership of the AMA,” he said.
“I’ve got a brilliant council with me as well, they are very diverse and invested in being in the NT.
“I’m looking forward to us taking up the mantle for patients and doctors in the NT.”
Dr Zorbas continues in his roles as Staff Specialist Representative on the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federations NT Council, and as a Practitioner Member on the Medical Board of Australia NT.
Dr Zorbas also established the first AMA Hospital Health Check in 2013, and the inaugural MBA Medical Training Survey in 2019.
With years of experience, he hopes to bring more recognition to the NT’s “under-resourced” healthcare services.
“There is a big divide between what we think we should be receiving and what we are receiving as federal support for health in the NT,” he said.
“And I think we also want to see health be a bigger priority for the current government.
“There is a very big focus on crime, but you can’t restore lifestyle and protect lifestyle in the NT without a focus on health care.”
Beyond increased funding, Dr Zorbas shared he would also like to give doctors in the Territory a “bigger and better voice”.
“We’ve got some of the best doctors in the country who absolutely love this place, and I want to be able to amplify those voices and get out there so people can hear the stories of what happens in the healthcare system up here,” he said.
Dr Zorbas honoured Dr Parker’s contributions to the AMA and said he would continue to live out his legacy.
“Dr Parker has been at the forefront of some huge health challenges here in the Territory, especially involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,“ Dr Zorbas said.
“In 2016 Dr Parker brought the issue of a syphilis epidemic, primarily among young Aboriginal people, and focused the AMA NT on developing a position advocating for a national Centre for Disease Control to better co-ordinate epidemic responses.
“Dr Parker was similarly involved in the NT Covid response and helped shape culturally-safe care for Aboriginal patients in Alice Springs.”
Dr Parker is understood to be on leave overseas.
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Originally published as Australian Medical Association NT announce Dr John Zorbas as new president, as Dr Robert Parker steps down after 11 years
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