Annamma Kochummen Dorai Raj (1959âÂÂ2024) was a rheumatologist who worked across ACT and NSW in Australia. She was a founding staff member of the Australian National University medical school. She was a dedicated teacher who trained multiple junior doctors as well as trainees in rheumatology.
She was involved with teaching as well as working in clinical medicine both Canberra as well as country NSW. Prior to tele-health becoming popular post pandemic Anna was able to set up remote support with rural clinics in country NSW. She had regular clinics in rural areas like Tumut where people have limited support.
She completed her undergraduate training in India and migrated to the UK and subsequently worked in Australia. She was involved with medical education from medical school through to advanced training in rheumatology.
Her clinical work informed her teaching as well as research.
She worked with the Australian OPAL (Optimising Patient outcomes in Australian Rheumatology) group which improves patient outcomes with research. This offered the availability of a data set that was updated by clinicians in real-time; which also offered trainees the opportunity to work on regular research.
Despite her early demise her work continues with the programs that she set up both at local teaching institutions as well as international research collaborations. Her patients pay tribute to the care provided to them with both kindness and support as they navigated their disease process.