IMSANZ was formed in 1997 with the amalgamation of the Australian Society of Consultant Physicians in General Medicine (ASCPIGM) and the New Zealand Society of Consultant Physicians in Internal Medicine (NZSCPIM). The realisation that general physicians needed a strong united approach to the rigors of the medico-political landscape in both countries led to unity of purpose across the Tasman. There are national and regional issues that require specific resolutions, but there is a greater need to promote the role of the generalist in holistic patient care within all health care systems.
At the 2013 Annual General Meeting, members voted to change form a NSW Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee. On 1st July 2014, this change was registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand became the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand Limited.
IMSANZ celebrated 25 years in 2022 at the IMSANZ Annual Scientific meeting in Manly, New South Wales, Australia where we welcomed new President, A/Prof Doug Johnson, pictured above with CEO Leigh-anne Shannon, Immediate Past President Dr Anne Knight, and Past Presidents Dr John Gommans, Dr Robert Pickles and Prof Ian Scott.
7th May 1997 - 17th Oct 1999 (IMSANZ incorporated on 4th May 1998)
17th Oct 1999 - 13th May 2001
13th May 2001 - 26th May 2003
26th May 2003 - 8th May 2005
8th May 2005 - 7th Sep 2007
7th Sep 2007- 23rd March 2010
23rd Mar 2010 - 7th May 2012
7th May 2012 - 19 September 2014
19 September 2014 to 18 September 2016
18 September 2016 to 7 September 2018
7 September 2018 to 4 September 2020
4 September 2020 to 9 September 2022
9 September 2022 to current
Pictured below: Dr Neil Graham, Dr Leslie Bolitho, A/Prof Ian Scott, A/Prof Phillippa Poole, Dr Alasdair MacDonald, A/Prof Nicholas Buckmaster, Dr John Gommans,
Queenstown, New Zealand, September 2012
In 1997 IMSANZ enlisted the aid of renowned graphic artist, Linda Warner, who was asked to create a simple design for a logo which would go some way to encapsulating the aspirations of the general physician. The thrust of the final design is to create the wholeness of the practice of consultant general medicine by utilising stylised figures with outstretched arms to indicate the personal approach. These figures are arranged in a centrally focused design as though in consultation. The arm gesture indicated the caring nature of our practice. The design also has emblematic qualities and a crest like appearance, thus projecting the professionalism of our consultant practice.