Fortunately, the former student at Canobolas Rural Technology High School who has just been awarded General Practitioner of the Year for Western Australia, that's exactly what she had - both in her family and in her teachers.

Two teachers in particular who "played a huge role" in Dr Raman's development, both academically and with her self-confidence, were her former English teacher Heather Grant and her former music teacher, Donna Riles.

"If my public speaking skills have developed it's because of one, my dad, and two because of Mrs Heather Grant. I worked with her a lot in school for public speaking and debating competitions and she really nurtured that skill," Dr Raman said.

"The other teacher that I'd like to acknowledge is Mrs Donna Riles. She is now the director of the Orange Regional Conservatorium.

"The biggest role Donna [Riles] has played is the development of [my] character and personality. She's a very fine person and she's been a very good role model [to me].

"In terms of my personality, my ability to speak in public and be engaging... they've both played a role," she added.

The influence of these two teachers was so great on the young doctor that in addition to working as a GP, she also took on teaching duties of the junior doctors - which was one of the contributing factors to her being selected as GP of the Year for WA.

The other important work undertaken by Dr Raman that saw her secure the prestigious award was a drive-thru flu vaccination clinic she developed with a fellow doctor at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's been 17 years since Dr Raman graduated from Canobolas and over a decade since she settled down for good in Perth but Orange would always be home to her.

While the teachers who taught her would always "stick in [her] mind" as the people who got her through her HSC.

"I think we often always think [back] about the people who have really helped us along the way and through the rough patches," Dr Raman said.

"All of this [that I have achieved] is because of my ever believing family [as well as] all my mentors and teachers."