John MacLeod Oration

Dr. Jo Scott-Jones, a prominent figure in rural healthcare, has been chosen to deliver the John MacLeod Oration at the 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference in New Zealand. The selection is a significant acknowledgment of Dr. Scott-Jones's contributions to rural health and places him among a distinguished list of past honorees, including Professor Ian Couper, Professor Roger Strasser, Dr John Wynn-Jones, Professor Bruce Chater, and Dr Dora Bernal.

The oration is a tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. John A. J. MacLeod, a founder of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice. A beloved and iconic rural doctor, Dr. MacLeod dedicated 27 years to serving his community on the island of North Uist in Scotland. He was known for his fierce passion for rural communities, his professional excellence, and his ability to make people feel valued and welcome at conferences. According to a tribute published in the Rural and Remote Health journal, he consistently brought pragmatic realism to the group and was a great mentor to many colleagues. Dr. MacLeod died in 2009 at the age of 74, just two months after giving a keynote address at the WONCA 2009 Rural Conference in Crete.

Dr. Scott-Jones expressed humility and honour at the selection. "The oration is an opportunity to reflect on the life of John MacLeod... and the legacy he left, which is one of warmth, connection, and a fierce passion for rural communities," Dr. Scott-Jones commented.

"To be selected by the Wonca Working Party on Rural Practice is an acknowledgment of the significant contribution they feel I have made to developing Health for All Rural people."

The WONCA World Rural Health Conference is a key event for professionals dedicated to improving healthcare in rural areas globally. Dr. Scott-Jones's oration is expected to highlight the ongoing efforts and future challenges in this vital field, continuing the spirit of connection and dedication that John MacLeod embodied.