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Joondalup doctor takes out prize for top performance in Australasian College of Emergency Medicine exam
Nov 27, 2025
Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) doctor, Dr Lorna Cronin, has been awarded The Buchanan Prize by the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, which is awarded to the best candidate in the Fellowship Clinical Examination.
The Emergency Department (ED) Registrar shares the honour with two doctors from Queensland who also topped the recent Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - the last exam required to achieve Fellowship status with the College.
Dr Cronin said she was delighted to have won the award.
“I was initially in disbelief,” said Dr Cronin. “It really is the cherry on top after completing this part of my formal training,” she said.
Held over two consecutive days, the examination consists of a variety of clinical stations based on scenarios that candidates would expect to see as part of their work in an ED.
Dr Cronin undertook the majority of her training at JHC, having started as an ED Resident Medical Officer (RMO) in 2017.
“I just love the people. It’s a very supportive department to do training and there is such a great sense of camaraderie,” said Dr Cronin.
“Even when things are difficult, staff are in a good mood and understanding of one another.
I also love the variety of patients, from children to the elderly, and the diversity of cases, including trauma and obstetrics cases,” said Dr Cronin.
At JHC, supporting our doctors in training to reach their career ambitions is central to the education we provide.
The hospital is accredited for 24 months of advanced training in Emergency Medicine, including the paediatric component of the advanced training program, as well as offering rotations in critical care, general medicine and surgical specialities.
Doctors are provided quality clinical education by their supervising team, and access to extensive training through the Medical Education Unit and via simulation- based education.
Co-Head of Emergency Medicine, Dr Sjinene Van Schalkwyk, said, “Lorna’s achievement is testament to the conscientious, passionate and dedicated emergency doctor she is. We are lucky to have her as part of our amazing team and look forward to her working with us as Emergency Specialist.
“Her success, as well as the successful completion of JHC emergency doctors every year in our Primary, Fellowship and Emergency Medicine Associate Training programs (EMATP), demonstrate the importance our Emergency Department places on the training and education of our medical staff, and the dedication of our education team in supporting them along their chosen career path.
“At JHC Emergency we continue to learn and strive for excellence in emergency care. With doctors like Lorna on our team, we are well-equipped to look after our local community.”
