Dr Renee Cremen

Outstanding Alumni, College of Medicine and Dentistry

No day is ever the same for Dr Cremen, as rural generalist and Medical Superintendent for Babinda Multi Purpose Health Service and Yarrabah Emergency.  Working across the Emergency Department, acute ward, aged care facility or outpatient clinic means that Renee cares for all ages and presentations, from labouring women to palliation, primary to acute care, tropical and Indigenous medicine as well as all manner of marine and farming accidents.  She works closely with the local school, Aboriginal Medical Services, and population health unit to improve health care, manage infectious outbreaks, pandemic and emergency events.

Graduating from James Cook University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, Dr Cremen embarked on her career as a rural generalist. After completing her junior doctor years in Cairns, she moved to Babinda to take up a 12-month placement as a Registrar. During her stay Renee developed a passion for rural and remote medicine and made the move to the community permanent. She has continued to advocate for her rural communities through further career advancement in medical administration.

In 2018 Dr Cremen was awarded the Rural Doctor of the Year award by the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, for commitment to the Babinda and its surrounding communities and inspiring approach to teaching the next generation of doctors. She has also been recognised for her commitment to mentoring and teaching of junior doctors within the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, by being awarded the Clinical Educator of the Year Award in 2019.

As an active member of her community, Dr Cremen was the main organiser of Babinda’s inaugural Umbrella Ball – an annual charity event that brought the community together to raise funds for the Babinda Hospital.

Renee is credited by many JCU graduates as the cornerstone of their decision to specialize in rural medicine. She is an excellent role model and doctor who is providing outstanding opportunities and services in rural and remote communities in which she serves.