Influential GP Dr Branko Sijnja has been named as the recipient of the Peter Snow Memorial Award for 2022 for his service and dedication to rural health for over 40 years.
He is well known in the South Otago town of Balclutha and by many students at the University of Otago (UoO) for his leadership, commitment and inspiration.
Branko began his health career as a medical officer in 1974 and moved overseas for a couple of years to work in Scotland in orthopaedics and later in obstetrics and gynaecology.
In 1980, Branko moved into working in General Practice. He became involved in the forming of Clutha Health First, a bespoke healthcare provider offering hospital, community and general practice services in Balclutha.
Clutha Health First opened in December 1998 and transformed the healthcare delivery to the Balclutha community. To this day, Branko is still involved in the governance of Clutha Health First and sits on its board. Alongside this, he worked every Monday in the clinic for 12 hours.
Over his career, Branko has become well-known for delivering hundreds of babies in Balclutha. His wife says he is known throughout the community for his unwavering dedication which has often seen him work incredibly long hours doing home visits, followed by night shifts and then running a full clinic the next day.
In 2009, Branko’s career transformed when he became the Director of the Rural Medical Immersion Programme at the University of Otago. Through this programme, Branko mentors fifth year medical students as they spend a year working and studying in rural New Zealand.
Branko has taken advantage of the opportunity to share his passion for rural health and his wealth of experience. He is a natural teacher, and this has meant he often goes above and beyond to ensure his students succeed.
In 2021, Branko was awarded Distinguished Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, which recognises Fellows of the College who have made sustained contributions to general practice, medicine, or the health and wellbeing of the community.
Branko currently works part time at the University and will be retiring from his role as Director at the end of June 2022. He plans to continue working at Clutha Health First for three days a week.
- The Peter Snow Memorial Award was set up to honour the life and work of the late Dr Peter Snow, a rural GP who was based in Tapanui. As well as caring for his patients, Peter was Past-President of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and was a member of the Otago Hospital Board and District Health Board.