Emergency anaesthetist Richard Harris, who helped rescue a boys' soccer team from a flooded cave in Thailand last year, has been awarded the Australian Medical Association gold medal in Brisbane.

Dr Harris and his diving partner veterinarian Craig Challen gained worldwide attention when they rescued the Wild Boars soccer team after 17 days trapped in a flooded cave in Tham Luang in July.

Dr Richard Harris received the AMA gold medal in Brisbane on Saturday night. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

On Saturday night, Dr Harris was awarded the medal at the AMA National Conference at The Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane.

This comes after the anaesthetist from Adelaide was named 2019 Australian of the Year for South Australia and the joint Australian of the Year with Dr Challen.