Congratulations to Dr Virginia McAndrew the 2026 ACT Branch Meritorious Service Award winner

The RANZCP ACT Branch is pleased to award Dr Virginia McAndrew the 2026 ACT Branch Meritorious Service Award for her sustained and significant contribution to psychiatry, the ACT community and the RANZCP. A Fellow of the College since 2006, with subspecialty certification in child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr McAndrew has built a career marked by clinical excellence, teaching, research, mentorship and service.

Over nearly two decades, Dr McAndrew has provided specialist psychiatric care across public, private and community settings in the ACT. She served as a Staff Specialist with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Canberra Health Services, from 2006–20, provided consultations and clinics at Melaleuca Place Trauma Recovery Centre from 2014–18, and has continued to support the University of Canberra Medical & Counselling Centre through psychiatric consultations and supervision since 2011. She has also maintained a part-time private psychiatric practice in the ACT since 2010.

Her academic and research contributions have also been substantial. At the Australian National University Medical School, she contributed to psychiatry teaching, lectures and student supervision from 2006–15. She has led trauma-informed care projects funded by the Canberra Hospital Private Practice Fund, totalling more than $140,000, and has co-authored publications on trauma-informed care, service change and the mental health impacts of catastrophes.

Dr McAndrew has been a dedicated teacher, supervisor and mentor throughout her career. As an accredited supervisor, she has supported RANZCP trainees and served as Senior Coordinating Registrar for the ACT Mental Health Service. Her commitment to multidisciplinary learning continues through her supervision of GPs, counsellors and nurses at the University of Canberra.

Her service to the RANZCP has been equally notable. Dr McAndrew was Honorary Secretary of the RANZCP ACT Branch in 2008 and has contributed as an ACT Branch Committee member across several terms, including 2006–09, 2012–14 and 2020. She also represented the ACT through the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatrists in Training.

Beyond her formal roles, Dr McAndrew has contributed to public education and community advocacy, presenting at ACT RANZCP Annual Scientific Meetings and CHARM on topics including antidepressant use in children and trauma recognition. She has also supported community organisations such as Amity Community Services in their work responding to addiction and addictive behaviours.

Dr McAndrew’s sustained commitment to clinical care, research, training, mentorship and College service reflects the values recognised by the Meritorious Service Award. Her contribution has strengthened psychiatry in the ACT and made a lasting impact on colleagues, trainees and the wider community.