Award Winners Announced at the 2023 New Zealand Section Meeting

The USANZ 2023 New Zealand Section Meeting was held in New Plymouth from Wednesday 22 - Friday 24 March 2024. 

There are a number of award categories at the New Zealand Section Meeting for urologists, urological nurses and members of the public. The Society is pleased to announce that three USANZ members received an award at the Meeting. Congratulations to Michael Rice, Thomas Clarkson, and Christian Robinson.

A Urologist who has contributed to the Urological Community

This award was presented to Dr Michael Rice, the senior most Urologist practising in the northern region of New Zealand. 

Michael moved to New Zealand after graduating in Australia, training first in general surgery before undertaking a urological training program in Auckland and Hamilton. On completion of his training program, he took an appointment at Auckland hospital in 1991 and remained there ever since.

Michael's contribution to the urological community in New Zealand is evident. He has worked as a clinical director at Auckland and North Shore hospitals; ran clinics at Middlemore; was the Chair of the Board of Urology in New Zealand; and was actively involved in training, providing hands-on surgical teaching to many urologists currently working in New Zealand. Having stepped away from urologic surgical oncology practice, Michael now spends a lot of time providing guidance and teaching to surgeons and junior registrars in Auckland.

The Society would like to recognise Michael's significant contributions and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.

RMO Presentation Award

Sponsored by Tristel, this award was presented to Thomas Clarkson. Congratulations, Thomas!

JMO Presentation Award

Sponsored by Mobile Medical, this award was presented to Christian Robinson. Congratulations, Christian!

Non-Member Awards

The Society would also like to recognise the achievements of people associated with the urological community in New Zealand. 

Congratulations to Sally Walker, a member of the public who has contributed to the urological community by providing consumer support and advocacy to patients undergoing cystectomy, as well as consumers with mesh complications.

In addition, the following people received NZUNS Awards:

• A nurse who has contributed to the urological community
  Congratulations to Jean Bothwell
• NZUNS Best Paper Award
  Congratulations to Sha Harber
• NZUNS Best New Presenter Award
  Congratulations to Kristine Redwood
• NZUNS Most Innovative Paper Award
  Congratulations to Teresa Akapita
• Maggie Burn Post Graduate Scholarship
  Congratulations to Kristine Redwood

For further information, please see 2023 USANZ NZ - NZUNS Urology Awards.