Final call out for Future Leaders Program

Dr Josh Stevens always knew he wanted to advocate for, and help shape, the future of general practice. But he needed the tools and guidance to turn that intention into impact.
 
‘The Future Leaders Program gave me that,’ Dr Stevens told newsGP. ‘It transformed passion into practical leadership.’
 
The Queensland GP entered the Future Leaders Program in 2024 as a practicing GP and senior medical educator looking after the region of Gympie in south-east Queensland.
 
Since then, he has gone on to become a member of the RACGP’s Queensland Faculty Council, Head of Training for south-east Queensland for the college, and a part of the planning team behind GP25 – all opportunities Dr Stevens attributes to his participation in the program.
 
‘It was quite remarkable,’ he reflects.
 
‘It really helped my confidence with seizing opportunities, and it opened doors I never thought would be possible within 12 months.’
 
Dr Stevens makes no secret that he is a big advocate for the program, and encourages all those considering it to apply for the 2026 RACGP Future Leaders Program.
 
Designed for those who have some leadership experience but haven’t pursued formal qualifications like an MBA, the program aims to empower GPs to develop leadership skills essential for thriving in a complex health system.
 
It also helps participants to uncover the core values that drive their leadership behaviours and explores strategies to effect positive change in general practice, equipping them with evidence-based methods, expanding their professional network, and fostering innovative ideas.
 
This was certainly the case for Dr Stevens. He said the program influenced his leadership style and, as a self-identified introvert, to make connections.
 
‘It transformed me from a reactive leader into a proactive one by helping define myself on what I believe in rather than what I oppose,’ he said.
 
‘It gave me the confidence and tools to quiet my imposter syndrome, and it empowered me to take chances on opportunities I wouldn’t have before.
 
‘It also gave me an unbelievable fast track to connection, not just within our cohort but also across the profession, and it was a rare chance to find like-minded people and develop relationships I never really thought possible.
 
‘It was a really, really great experience.’
 
Fully funded by the RACGP, the Future Leaders Program offers 37 CPD hours including 21 educational and 16 reviewing performance activities.
 
Designed to give participants comprehensive support, it includes expert guidance from a specialist team and access to essential and contemporary leadership resources online.
 
Dr Stevens, who in addition to his work juggles a family, said he felt this support firsthand, which helped with the added workload.
 
‘The program was mostly out of hours, so a lot of it was nighttime webinars, which really helped,’ he said.
 
‘There were also lots of people on the webinars who had children on their laps. So, it was really friendly from that point of view.’
 
Over the years a number of successful GPs have emerged from the program, with alumni including current RACGP President Dr Michael Wright, NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman, and SA Chair Dr Sian Goodson.
 
Dr Stevens says it is the experiences of GPs like these, and the diversity in the paths they have taken, that has stayed with him since graduating from the program.
 
‘Hearing from the diverse range of guest speakers, and amongst those speakers were GPs, it really showcased that there were many paths within our profession and proved that even small contributions, when focused on what you believe in most, can make a real difference,’ he said.
 
‘The new age GP has lots of side hustles to preserve themselves from the impact that clinical loads can sometimes have, and this has been my side hustle, so it’s allowed me an outlet as we try to advocate for and help shape the future of general practice.’
 
To be eligible, applicants must be a current Fellow of the college and, at the start of the program, must have held at least three years of continuous membership since completing their Fellowship.
 
Applications for the 2026 RACGP Future Leaders Program will remain open until 1 September.
 
For more information or to apply for the program, visit the RACGP website.
 
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Future Leaders Program future of general practice general practice advocacy GP leadership