Dr Nick Collins Memorial Fund

Award in Honour of Dr Nick Collins

A memorial award has been established in memory of Dr Nick Collins, to enable a fourth or fifth year medical student to attend the annual RACGP Conference.

Dr Nick Collins was a Senior Lecturer with the Department of General Practice at Western Sydney University, when he tragically and unexpectedly died in August 2014.

Nick joined the University as a Senior Lecturer in the newly formed Department of General Practice on 28 February 2011, where he was responsible for GP Supervisor recruitment and support in the South West of Sydney. He worked to develop a GP Mentoring program for students. He was also engaged in our student teaching and supervised several student research projects, a number culminating in student presentations at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) annual conference.

As an active member of the RACGP, Nick was pleased to see students engaged in RACGP activities.

Nick was always primarily a GP and his teaching was solidly grounded in the stories of his patients (always anonymised and respectfully described) - his learning from them, informed the students' understanding of management of people with chronic and complex illness. His concern for his patients was evident in every aspect of his description of their problems and of his management. He role modelled for students the best kind of GP. Nick's keen interest in the students extended beyond teaching. In his interactions with the GP Student Network, Nick was said to have "encouraged and inspired us all to make the most of every opportunity and endeavour."

Nick was a kind man who respected everyone he met and was mutually respected including by the many students whose lives and careers he has influenced. Vale Nick Collins – your work will continue through those of us who have respected and loved you.

Give now to support the Dr Nick Collins Award Fund