The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has announced Dr
Gillian Gibson as the College’s next
President.
Dr Gibson was elected
following a ballot and will take up her role in November
2023, after RANZCOG’s Annual General Meeting. Her term
will run to November 2025.
Dr Gibson will become the
second female President of RANZCOG*. She will also become
the second New Zealander to hold the office.
Dr Gibson
has been a full-time Auckland-based Generalist Obstetrician
and Gynaecologist for 25 years, combining public and private
practice. She currently holds Medical Officer and Service
Clinical Director positions at Te Whatu Ora | Te Toka Tumai
Auckland (formerly Auckland District Health Board).
Dr
Gibson has been involved in College activities for much of
her professional life, joining Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku
(formerly the New Zealand Committee) nearly 20 years ago.
She has served two terms on the Council and two terms on the
Board, culminating in her current role as Vice-President
(New Zealand). She has chaired several standing committees
and working groups of the College, and is Deputy Chair of
the Gender Equity and Diversity Working Group.
RANZCOG
President Dr Benjamin Bopp said he was delighted to
congratulate Dr Gibson on being elected as President-Elect:
“Gill has extensive skills and experience that she will
bring to the role of President. On behalf of the RANZCOG
Board and Council, I congratulate Gill and am confident her
passion and dedication will help deliver the best guidance
and support to all our Members and trainees across Australia
and Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Dr Gibson said: “It’s
an honour and a privilege to be RANZCOG’s next President.
I look forward to working with the Board, CEO, Council,
committees, Members, trainees and College staff across
Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, living out our values.
Together we will ensure the College is well run, achieves
its strategic purpose, has a sustainable future, continues
to train the next generation of specialist Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists and GP Obstetricians, and advances excellence
and equity in Women’s Health.
“I hope my election
will motivate and inspire a succession of women in senior
College leadership, building on the significant advances the
College has made in the areas of gender equity and
diversity.”
RANZCOG exceeded gender targets for
female representation on its current Board and Council –
18 of 24 Councillors and five of nine Board Directors are
women. There has also been a considerable increase in the
female representation and Chairs on various committees and
working groups of the College compared with previous
years.
* Dr Heather Munro AO was the first and only
woman President of the Royal Australian College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RACOG) (1994–1996). The
late Associate Professor Christine Tippett AM was the first
woman President of RANZCOG
(2006–2008).
© Scoop Media