Dr Ramya Raman has been elected President-elect of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, placing the highly respected Perth-based specialist GP on course to lead Australia’s largest professional general practice organisation.
Dr Raman will formally assume the presidency at the RACGP Annual General Meeting on 19 November 2026, succeeding current President Dr Michael Wright at the completion of his two-year term.
Her election follows a strong result in the RACGP presidential ballot. Dr Raman received 5,386 of the 9,866 eligible votes cast, securing a clear majority and a significant endorsement from her professional colleagues.
“I am deeply honoured to have the trust and support of my colleagues to serve as RACGP President,” Dr Raman said following the announcement.
“It is an enormous privilege, and a responsibility I take seriously.”
Originally from Orange in regional New South Wales, Dr Raman completed her medical training at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle. She has built an extensive career spanning clinical practice, medical education, practice ownership, governance and health advocacy.
She is currently RACGP Vice-President and Chair of RACGP Western Australia. She also serves as Discipline Head of General Practice at the University of Notre Dame’s School of Medicine and is the director of The Garden Family Medical Clinic in Perth.
Her professional contributions have received significant recognition. Dr Raman was named RACGP WA GP of the Year in 2020 and received the Australian Medical Association WA Advocate of the Year Award in 2024.
She has also worked to improve the sustainability of general practice, support doctors and strengthen access to quality healthcare. Her advocacy in Western Australia has covered issues including payroll tax protection for medical practices, practice funding and reforms affecting the delivery of primary care.
Dr Raman’s connection with the growing Australia–India relationship is also noteworthy. In 2023, she represented Australia as a delegate to the Australian Indian Youth Dialogue, a forum bringing together emerging leaders from Australia and India.
Her achievement will be warmly welcomed by many within the Indian Australian community, which continues to make a substantial contribution to Australia’s healthcare sector and other major national institutions.
However, Dr Raman’s election is significant well beyond any single community. It recognises an Australian doctor with extensive frontline experience and a strong record of service, education, advocacy and professional leadership.
Dr Raman said general practice remained the foundation of Australia’s healthcare system, with GPs caring for people at every stage of life, managing complex health needs and helping patients avoid unnecessary hospital treatment.
“A strong health system needs strong general practice,” she said.
“My focus as President will be on ensuring GPs are properly valued, funded and supported to provide the high-quality care their patients and communities rely on.”
As President, Dr Raman is expected to lead the College’s advocacy on access to healthcare, the financial viability of general practices, workforce sustainability, preventive health, medical education and training, and the long-term future of Australia’s primary healthcare system.
Current RACGP President Dr Michael Wright congratulated Dr Raman and said the College’s leadership would be in capable hands.
“Dr Raman is a highly respected leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to members, patients and the future of general practice,” Dr Wright said.
He praised her advocacy, collaborative approach and ability to represent the voice of general practice.
For Dr Raman, the election marks the next chapter of a career grounded in patient care and strengthened by experience across medical practice, education, governance and public policy.
Her appointment is not simply about reaching one of the highest leadership positions in Australian general practice. It reflects the confidence of her professional colleagues and the growing importance of experienced, community-focused leadership in shaping the future of Australia’s healthcare system.
Dr Raman will officially begin her term as RACGP President on 19 November 2026.
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Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
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