The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has recognised the Northern Territory’s finest general practitioners for 2026 across five key categories at the prestigious NT Fellowship and Awards Ceremony.
Held at Parliament House in Darwin last week, the Awards recognise excellence in patient care, training and supervision, leadership, education and service to the profession.
RACGP NT Chair Dr Sam Heard AM said the 2026 recipients reflect the strength of general practice across the Territory.
“These awards recognise inspirational and dedicated people at different stages of their careers, connected in their commitment to the patients and communities they serve,” Dr Heard said.
“We are so very fortunate to have such outstanding GPs, registrars, supervisors and practices across the Territory. The RACGP Awards recognise their achievements and excellence, and also acknowledge a very important role – building the future of general practice in the NT.”
The recipients of the General Practitioner of the Year, General Practitioner in Training of the Year, General Practice of the Year and General Practice Supervisor of the Year Awards will also be considered for the corresponding national RACGP Awards, to be announced at the RACGP’s national conference GP26 in Adelaide in November.
General Practitioner of the Year: Dr Kate Lloyd
Alice Springs GP Dr Kate Lloyd was named the 2026 RACGP Northern Territory General Practitioner of the Year.
Dr Lloyd is recognised for a career marked by clinical leadership, innovation and a strong commitment to improving access to care across the Northern Territory.
Her work has included identifying gaps in health services and developing practical responses to better meet the needs of patients and communities, alongside significant contributions to education, supervision and mentorship.
She is currently Clinical Lead at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress’ Alukura Women’s Health Service, where she has responded to gaps in obstetric and gynaecological care by training and delivering teams to deliver ultrasounds, IUD insertions and colposcopies. She is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the Alice Springs community, establishing ParkRun through her role as a committee member of the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club.
Dr Lloyd is widely respected for the leadership she brings to the profession and for supporting the development of other GPs across the Territory.
“The Territory is very fortunate to have a GP of the calibre of Dr Kate Lloyd, and it is terrific to see her recognised for her outstanding work,” said Dr Heard.
General Practitioner in Training of the Year: Dr Georgia Muir
Dr Muir received the General Practitioner in Training of the Year Award, recognising an emerging GP who has distinguished herself through leadership, initiative and a strong commitment to the patients and communities around her.
Training in the Northern Territory since 2024, Dr Muir is currently working at Pirlangimpi on Melville Island with NT Health’s Top End Health Services, where she works closely with Aboriginal Health Practitioners as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Alongside continuing her own training and providing excellent clinical care, Dr Muir has supported trainee Aboriginal Health Workers, provided important critical care and prioritised community engagement.
Dr Muir is also recognised for exceptional examination performance, achieving results that placed her among the highest performing GPs in training in Australia.
General Practice of the Year: Palmerston GP Super Clinic
Palmerston GP Super Clinic was recognised for delivering a service that brings together general practice, allied health and urgent care services, helping patients access a broader range of care in one setting and strengthening local alternatives to hospital-based care.
It was also recognised for a strong commitment to education and training, supporting medical students and GP registrars and contributing to the development of the Territory’s future health workforce.
“A key strength of Palmerston GP Superclinic is its ability to integrate service delivery, workforce development and system reform within a single model,” Dr Heard said.
“Congratulations to CEO Bernie Cummins and the GPs in the team, past and present, who share the recognition.”
General Practice Supervisor of the Year: Dr Emma Fitzsimons
Dr Emma Fitzsimons received the 2026 RACGP Northern Territory General Practice Supervisor of the Year Award, acknowledging her significant contribution to GP education, mentorship and registrar development though her role as a specialist GP at Danila Dilba Health Services.
Dr Fitzsimons demonstrates an exceptional and sustained commitment to general practice training and mentoring through more than two decades of service in the Northern Territory. Her work at Danila Dilba Health Service reflects a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and culturally grounded general practice. She has played a pivotal role in mentoring registrars working in complex, remote and culturally diverse contexts, including actively supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees.
The selection panel recognised her supportive and consistent approach to supervision, dedication to training, and the positive impact she has had on GPs throughout their training. Dr Fitzsimmons’ impact extends beyond individual registrars to the broader NT health workforce. Her long-standing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, combined with her dedication to mentoring and workforce development, has contributed to strengthening culturally safe general practice in the region.
“Dr Fitzsimon’s longitudinal impact is evident in the many registrars she has supported who have gone on to continue working in underserved communities,” said Dr Heard.
“Her sustained service over more than two decades in a high-need setting is a testament to both her clinical expertise and her dedication to general practice as a profession.”
Outstanding New Fellow: Dr Isobel Blackwood
Alice Springs GP Dr Isobel Blackwood was named the 2026 RACGP Northern Territory Outstanding New Fellow.
The award recognises a New Fellow who has trained substantially in the Northern Territory, performed strongly across the RACGP Fellowship examinations and demonstrated a commitment to the health of Territorians.
Dr Blackwood achieved an aggregate ranking of 10th nationally across the RACGP Fellowship examinations and has chosen to continue her career in Alice Springs after completing substantial training in the Territory.
“Isobel’s story is a terrific example of what we want to see more of in the Northern Territory,” Dr Heard said.
“She has performed at an exceptional level nationally, embraced the opportunities that come with training here, and chosen to continue her career in Central Australia.
“Retaining doctors who have trained here, understand our communities and want to contribute to them is enormously important for the future of general practice in the NT.”
Distinguished service to general practice training: Dr Rachel Chen
Dr Rachel Chen received the RACGP Northern Territory Distinguished Service Award, recognising her significant contribution to the development and continuity of general practice training in the Territory.
Dr Chen played a pivotal role through a period of major change, helping maintain training standards, oversight and support for registrars as the Northern Territory transitioned from the combined South Australia and Northern Territory Faculty.
Her leadership helped provide stability during that transition and contributed to the foundations of the NT Faculty and training program in place today.
Dr Heard thanked Dr Chen for her service to General Practice in the Northern Territory.
“Whilst she now resides in South Australia, Dr Chen attended Nightcliff High School and remains a true champion for General Practice in the NT.”
Full list of Awards & Recipients
- General Practitioner of the Year: Dr Kate Lloyd
- General Practitioner in Training of the Year: Dr Georgia Muir
- General Practice of the Year: Palmerston GP Super Clinic
- General Practice Supervisor of the Year: Dr Emma Fitzsimons
- NT Outstanding New Fellow Award: Dr Isobel Blackwood
- NT Distinguished Service Award: Dr Rachel Chen
- Applied Knowledge Test Examination Award: Dr Thomas Stubbs
- Key Feature Problem Examination Award: Dr Georgia Muir
- Clinical Competency Examination Award: Dr Georgia Muir
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