Six staff members from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board have been recognised for their efforts in teaching medical students.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Hugh Lees and Oncologist Dr Richard North received high honours.

The pair were recognised through receiving the University of Auckland's School of Medicine distinguished clinical teacher award.

The University of Auckland's head of the school medicine professor Phillippa Poole says that Hugh is very deserving of the award due to his excellent teaching over the past 30 years.

'In particular his cystic fibrosis clinics are frequently identified as a fantastic multidisciplinary learning opportunity. We are very grateful to Hugh for the creation and development of such an excellent learning environment.”

Richard's success at the awards comes as a result of supervising sixth year medical students at the BOPDHB for over four years.

He puts a lot of energy into helping students with their medical exams and tutorials to ensure that they are prepared to become young doctors.

Richard was also awarded a staff-student award from the Auckland University Medical Students Association, along with fellow BOPDHB staff members, Leonie Alley, Matt Sinton, Yvonne Boyes and Dr Rachel Thompson.

Head of the BOP Clinical Campus Professor Peter Gilling is pleased with how the students are responding from their mentors.

'At Whakatāne and Tauranga hospitals we are fortunate to be amongst the top sites in New Zealand for medical students to select as placements and for work.

'All staff contribute greatly as clinicians are committed to develop and supervise students and our Clinical Campus staff are outstanding in the service they provide for placements.”