Dr Michael Crotty taught on the Master of Primary Health Care since 1989 and was a lecturer in the Discipline of Public Health since it was established in 1993.  Before his appointment to the Discipline of Public Health he taught in the School of Nursing . Dr. Michael Crotty died on 13th May 1998 after a short illness and his death came as a shock to those of us who had been working with him just a few weeks earlier. Michael is remembered as an outstanding teacher on all measures. The eloquence, passion and intellect with which he taught were awesome. Students particularly comment on the care he showed and the huge impact he made on their intellectual development. Michael made a significant contribution to thinking about the philosophy of qualitative research, particularly in his book, Foundations of Social Research.

This prize has been established from contributions by family, friends, students and colleagues to commemorate Michael Crotty, a Lecturer in the Discipline of Public Health and a member of the teaching staff of the Master of Primary Health Care course from 1989 to 1998. The following rules shall apply:

• The Michael Crotty Prize in Primary Health Care shall be awarded annually by the Primary Health Examinations Board, on the recommendation of the Head of the Discipline of Public Health and the Coordinator of the Master of Primary Health Care course.
• The prize shall be awarded to the graduating student in the Master of Primary Health Care who has completed at least 36 units of the award at Flinders University and has achieved the highest grade point average throughout the course.
• The value of the prize shall be determined from time to time by the Examinations Board, but shall not be less than $250. In addition, the prize will include a copy of Michael Crotty's book 'Foundations of Social Research'.