Dr Sameera Bhayat, a distinguished member of the Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA), has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding General Practitioner Award, a national recognition that celebrates excellence in primary care. This award honours a GP who embodies the highest standards of clinical excellence, advocates strongly for preventative healthcare, and demonstrates compassionate, patient-centred care, all qualities that Dr Bhayat exemplifies with distinction.
Renowned for her holistic approach, Dr Bhayat has consistently gone above and beyond in building trust with her patients, ensuring their voices are heard and their individual health journeys supported. Her unwavering commitment to preventative medicine and community health initiatives has led to tangible improvements in wellbeing, reaffirming the vital role of GPs at the heart of healthcare delivery.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Dr Bhayat shared the depth of her passion for her profession and acknowledged the privilege of her role: “I am truly honored and incredibly grateful to receive the Outstanding General Practitioner Award tonight. Being a GP isn’t just a job; it’s a privilege. It’s about building relationships with patients, understanding their stories, and being a consistent presence in their health journeys. Every day, I’m inspired by the resilience of the people I care for, and I learn something new from each interaction.”
She also expressed gratitude to her colleagues, emphasising the teamwork that underpins quality patient care: “I would like to thank my dedicated colleagues. We are a team, and this award is as much theirs as it is mine. Their hard work, support, and shared commitment to patient care make everything we do possible.”
Most movingly, Dr Bhayat dedicated the award to her patients, whose trust and stories energise her work: “Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank my patients. Thank you for your trust, your openness, and for allowing me to be a part of your lives. It is because of you that I love what I do.”
In addition to her exemplary work as a GP, Dr Bhayat plays a vital role in the broader medical and community landscape. She serves as an Executive Member for AIMA Victoria, contributing to strategic initiatives and community health advocacy. Deeply committed to humanitarian work, she was also part of the Gaza Refugee Response Team, supporting and advocating for the healthcare needs of recently arrived Palestinians in Australia. Within AIMA, Dr Bhayat has been instrumental in organising major conferences, including the National Leadership Conference and the flagship AIMA National Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, helping to bring together healthcare professionals from across the country. Beyond her clinical and community service, she is a dedicated medical educator, passionate about inspiring the next generation of GPs to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care, and contributes to training and assessment as an examiner for both the RACGP and the University of Melbourne.
This recognition stands as a testament to Dr Sameera Bhayat’s unwavering devotion to compassionate, preventative, and impactful healthcare. Her achievement reflects not only her personal excellence but also serves as an inspiration to the broader medical community and a proud moment for AIMA, highlighting the remarkable contributions of Muslim healthcare professionals to Australia’s health system.
