Carol’s medical campaign honoured- Carol Johansson has been rewarded for dedication to hills h

By Tania Martin
CAROL Johansson is leading the charge to combat doctor shortages in the hills.
The Kallista woman has been rewarded for her dedication with the 2008 Practice Manager of the Year Award.
Ms Johansson was shocked to arrive home from Thailand late last month (24 October) to find she had been nominated for the Eastern Ranges GP Association (ERGPA) Awards.
“I wasn’t expecting to win but it’s nice to know you are appreciated…to be recognised,” she said.
The Emerald Medical Centre (EMC) practice manager has spent several years campaigning to combat the ongoing doctor shortages.
Ms Johansson never expected that taking a casual administration job 22 years ago would lead to a passion for better health care in the hills.
“I originally took this job because I wanted something casual while my kids were at school,” she said.
Ms Johansson soon went from a receptionist to bookkeeper and office supervisor.
For the past ten years, she has managed the EMC single-handedly in the absence of the practice owner, doctor George Somers. Eight years ago, Dr Somers handed over the reins to Ms Johansson as he took up a fellowship at Monash University.
Dr Somers said if it wasn’t for Ms Johansson, the practice would have closed years ago.
“The practice would not survive without Carol,” he said.
Dr Somers said it would send the Dandenongs into a major health crisis if the practice had to close.
“Carol is responsible for preventing that…if we didn’t have a good relationship, it couldn’t have been done and we would have closed our doors years ago.”
Ms Johansson has also been championing the cause to change the current GP regional classification.
The current classification means the Dandenongs is unable to attract any overseas-trained doctors, which puts pressure on an already stressed system. Doctors, medical centres and the ERGPA have been calling on the Federal Government to change the classification for years.
Under the current classification the hills is equal to inner-city suburbs such as Richmond and Toorak.
Doctors are continuing to fight to have the classification changed to a rural ranking.
Under the current system, the hills can’t access overseas-trained doctors as they are only able to work in rural areas.
Dr Somers said this was especially important in the hills because there is a shortage of doctors willing to work in the semi-rural area.
Ms Johansson is continuing to fight for the rating to be changed.
Dr Somers said the award had been long overdue and it was great to finally be able to celebrate Ms Johansson’s dedication.