Next RACGP President announced

Dr Ramya Raman will be the RACGP’s next President, the college announced on Monday.
 
The Perth-based GP, who has served as the RACGP Vice-President since 2024, said she is ‘deeply honoured’ by the appointment.
 
‘This is such a huge privilege and an honour to be elected as President, and I’m very grateful for the trust that the members have placed in me – it’s not a responsibility that I will take lightly,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘I travelled across Australia, and I’ve spoken to hundreds of GPs over the last few weeks, and the reason I did that is because I got the sense that many of our colleagues want more connection with the college.
 
‘The strong increase in member participation this year is significant, and it does show that the members are engaged in the future of our profession.’
 
The announcement comes after RACGP President voting closed on Friday, with counting finalised that afternoon.
 
Dr Raman is now President-elect and will take over from current RACGP President Dr Michael Wright in November.
 
And as she prepares to take on one of the college’s top jobs, she has a long list of priorities to improve general practice in Australia.
 
‘First and foremost, my first pillar is to ensure funding and policy is properly recognising the value of specialist general practice and specialist general practitioners,’ she said.
 
‘That’s increasing the indexation of Medicare rebates, a focus on longer and more complex consultations being appropriately remunerated, and the need for us to focus our college on calling on an independent pricing authority.
 
‘I also heard across the spectrum, many colleagues are unhappy, and rightfully so, about the removal of the mental health item numbers, so we’ve got some significant funding reform areas to focus on.
 
‘There’s also workforce, in terms of supporting our colleagues, specifically our IMG colleagues, practice owners, rural and remote GPs, experienced GPs, and ensuring that the profession is being well-supported, heard, and engaged.’
 
Dr Raman’s appointment comes amid a long list of achievements, including being RACGP WA Faculty Chair since 2021, Practice Principal at Garden Family Medical Clinic in Piara Waters, and General Practice Discipline Head at the University of Notre Dame’s School of Medicine.
 
She has served the RACGP in a range of senior leadership roles, as well as being named RACGP WA GP of the Year in 2020, and receiving the Australian Medical Association WA Advocate of the Year Award in 2024.
 
Dr Raman has led statewide advocacy efforts to secure written payroll tax protection for general practices, millions in practice grant funding to keep general practice sustainable, and delivered funded ADHD reform.
 
On Monday, she paid tribute to Dr Wright and his many achievements in the role. 
 
‘I’d like to extend my sincere thank you to Dr Michael Wright. Supporting him through his leadership role has been an absolute privilege,’ Dr Raman said.
 
‘I look forward to the next two years, to addressing some of the key concerns, but most importantly, hearing from our members and delivering.’
 
Dr Wright said he is ‘pleased to be ending his presidency knowing the role is in excellent hands’.  
 
‘Dr Raman is a highly respected leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to members, patients and the future of general practice,’ he said. 
 
‘She is a respected member of the general practice community, and as RACGP WA Chair and as my Vice-President I have seen firsthand her skills in advocacy, collaboration and in representing the voice of general practice. 
 
‘I am pleased to support her during her time as President-elect and know she will be a great leader of the RACGP.’
 
Upon the close of polling in the RACGP Presidential Election on 21 August, a total of 9866 eligible votes were cast – 24.8% of the 39,712 ballots issued to eligible voters.
 
Dr Anita Muñoz received 3611 votes, Dr Gavin Colthart received 869, and Dr Raman received 5386.
 
Dr Raman will assume the role of President at the RACGP’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 19 November 2026 at the end of Dr Wright’s two-year term.   
 
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