General practitioners, surgeons, specialists, administrators, researchers and policymakers — medical professionals were well represented in the Australia Day Honours list.
Medical luminaries topped the list of Australia Day Honours this year, with three of the five Companion in the General Division (AC) awards going to big names in medicine.
Professor Jeremy Chapman, AC, clinical professor of medicine at Westmead Clinical School at the University of Sydney, and at the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, was nominated for “eminent service to medicine, particularly in the areas of clinical and biomedical research, to the development of ethical policy and practices for organ donation, acquisition and transplantation, and to renal medicine organisations and publications”.
Professor Brendan Crabb, director and chief executive officer of the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health in Melbourne, was cited for “eminent service to medical science as a prominent researcher of infectious diseases, particularly malaria, and their impact on population health in developing nations, as an advocate, mentor and administrator, and through fostering medical research nationally and internationally”.
Professor John Funder, professor of medicine at Monash University in Melbourne, and a senior fellow at Prince Henry’s Institute, was awarded for “eminent service to medicine, particularly to cardiovascular endocrinology, as a renowned researcher, author and educator, to the development of academic health science centres, and to mental illness, obesity, and Indigenous eye-health programs”.
Six members of the medical profession were made Officers (AO) in the General Division; 28 were made Members (AM) in the General Division; one was made a Member (AM) in the Military Division; and 10 were awarded a Medal (OAM) in the General Division.
Of the 48 honoured medical professionals, only seven were women.
Here is the full list of medical recipients:
COMPANION (AC) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Transplantation advocate
Professor Jeremy Robert Chapman, AC
Clinical Professor of Renal Medicine, Westmead Hospital; Director, Division of Medicine and Cancer, Westmead Hospital.
For eminent service to medicine, particularly in the areas of clinical and biomedical research, to the development of ethical policy and practices for organ donation, acquisition and transplantation, and to renal medicine organisations and publications.
“Donation has gone from strength to strength in Australia. Donation rates are up, success rates are up and I’d like to see more of the same. There are two challenges in the future. First, we want to provide drug-free immunosuppression. That’s a real breakthrough that may be possible. Phase II and III clinical trials are coming soon. The second challenge is to free us up from human transplantation. The real global challenge is to stop end-stage organ failure.
“I was literally stunned (about receiving the honour). It’s an acknowledgement of the work I’ve been doing. It’s embarrassing at one level because there are so many who do so much so well, but yes, I’m delighted.”
Prevention the key
Professor Brendan Scott Crabb, AC
Director and Chief Executive Officer, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health.
For eminent service to medical science as a prominent researcher of infectious diseases, particularly malaria, and their impact on population health in developing nations, as an advocate, mentor and administrator, and through fostering medical research nationally and internationally.
“What I’m proudest of is the decision I made seven years ago to make the Burnet Institute an Australian and global health institute. We’ve flourished since then and we have some incredible people who have come to us in the fields of health, medical science, human rights and social justice. The biggest hurdle to global health is recognising that prevention has the impact that it has. It’s very hard to measure, because it’s abstract. We don’t take seriously that what you do in your teens, 20s and 30s impacts you in your 60s, 70s and 80s.
“[The honour] was a massive surprise and hard to get my head around, but I accept it with delight.”
Eureka moment in obesity
Professor John Watson Funder, AO, AC
Senior Fellow, Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research; Executive Director, Obesity Australia.
For eminent service to medicine, particularly to cardiovascular endocrinology, as a renowned researcher, author and educator, to the development of academic health science centres, and to mental illness, obesity, and Indigenous eye-health programs.
“There has been a ‘Eureka’ moment”, Professor Funder told the Sydney Morning Herald, about a new medication developed recently at the Salk Institute in San Diego. “It is taken orally and stimulates the secretion of bile and pancreatic juices so that you feel as though you have just had a meal and are no longer hungry. It will be 10 years before it has been properly tested and trialled but, all going well, I think it will essentially supplement or replace surgery.
“[The AC] is an enormous honour and I think it’s an honour, not just for me personally, but for all the people I’ve worked with and also for medical research and the broader field of the application of that research into health care”, he told ABC News.
OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Professor Peter Robert Ebeling
Head of the Department of Medicine in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; director of the Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science. For distinguished service to medicine in the field of bone health, through academic contributions and research initiatives in a range of administrative, executive and professional roles.
Professor Ken Mark Hillman
Practising intensive care specialist, Professor of Intensive Care at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). For distinguished service to intensive care medicine as a clinician, educator and researcher, as a pioneer in the introduction of the medical emergency team system, and as an advocate for the critically ill.
Professor John Mills
Emeritus professor at Monash University, director of Research and Development at TissuPath Specialist Pathology, consulting physician at The Alfred Hospital, chairman of the Research Program and Research Advisory Committee of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. For distinguished service to medicine as a researcher and physician in the field of infectious diseases, particularly HIV-AIDS, to medical administration, and to the development of Australia's biotechnology industry.
Professor James Finlay Patrick
One of the original engineers pioneering the development of the multichannel cochlear implant. For distinguished service to science through the development of cochlear implant technology, to biomedical research and engineering innovation, and to education and professional associations.
Associate Professor Phillip David Stricker
Chairman of the Department of Urology, St Vincent’s Private Hospital and Clinic, director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration, and conjoint associate professor in the Department of Surgery at UNSW. For distinguished service to medicine and medical research, as a leading urologist, a robotic surgery pioneer, a teacher and mentor, and as an advocate for prostate cancer awareness.
Professor Denis Wakefield
Director of the Centre for Immunology and Head of Immunopathology with the South Eastern Area Health Service, Associate Dean (Research) and Director of Medical Research at UNSW. For distinguished service to medicine, particularly in the field of ocular immunology and immunopathology as a clinician, researcher and academic.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Associate Professor David Bruce Baines
Clinical Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead in Sydney. For significant service to medicine in the field of paediatric anaesthesia as a clinician, administrator and mentor, and to medical education.
Professor Roy Gary Beran
Consultant neurologist, conjoint associate professor in the South Western Sydney Clinical School of UNSW, senior visiting neurologist to the Department of Neurology at the Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, president of the Australian College of Legal Medicine. For significant service to medicine, particularly neurology, as a clinician, author and administrator, and to professional medical legal organisations.
Dr John Robert Burke
Director of Nephrology at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. For significant service to medicine in the field of paediatric nephrology as a clinician and administrator, and to professional medical associations.
Professor Anthony James Costello
Professorial Fellow and Head of the Department of Urology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital. For significant service to medicine in the field of urology as a clinician, administrator and author, to cancer research, and to medical education.
Professor Michael Sidney Frommer
Adjunct professor, chair and associate dean, Sydney Medical Program, Public Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney. For significant service to medicine, particularly in the areas of public health and medical education, and to policy development and reform.
Professor Peter James Fuller
Associate director, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research. For significant service to medicine as an endocrinologist, through contributions to medical research and professional organisations.
Associate Professor Raymond Garrick
Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Notre Dame (Australia). For significant service to medicine in the field of chronic pain management, and to medical education as an academic.
Mr Andrew Harald Gatenby
Bowel cancer surgical specialist. For significant service to medicine, particularly as a colorectal surgeon, and to the community of south west Sydney.
Dr David Golovsky
Andrologist and urologist with IVF Australia. For significant service to medicine, particularly in the fields of urology and fertility.
Dr Yvonne Ho
The first Australian woman of Asian heritage and the first Victorian woman to be dually qualified as a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist. For significant service to radiology and nuclear medicine, as a practitioner and educator, and through professional organisations.
Dr Ronald Joffe
Sydney-based neurologist. For significant service to neurological medicine as a physician, teacher and advocate.
Dr Catherine Anne Kezelman
Medical doctor, chairperson of Adults Surviving Child Abuse. For significant service to community health as a supporter and advocate for survivors of child abuse.
Professor Boguslawa Koczwara
Medical oncologist and a senior staff specialist at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer in Adelaide. For significant service to medical oncology through clinical practice, education and cancer research, and through a range of professional organisations.
Associate Professor David Zachary Lubowski
Head of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at St George Hospital, Sydney; director of Anorectal Physiology Laboratory, St George Hospital. For significant service to medicine in the field of colorectal surgery as a clinician and researcher, and to professional organisations.
Professor Lisa Maher
Program head of the Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program at The Kirby Institute. For significant service to medicine in the field of epidemiology, particularly through academic research into illicit drug use.
Professor Craig Michael Mellis
Professor of Medicine, Sydney Medical School; associate dean and head, Central Clinical School; respiratory physician, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. For significant service to medicine, particularly in the field of paediatrics and child health, as a clinician, and to medical education and research.
Dr Stuart Malcolm Miller
President, Australian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. For significant service to medicine as an otolaryngologist, through leading contributions to medical foundations, and to photography.
Dr A James Morton
A haematology oncologist, with an autistic son. For significant service to children with autism spectrum disorders through not-for-profit organisations, and to medicine in the field of oncology.
Professor Michael Anthony Quinn
Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. For significant service to medicine in the field of gynaecological oncology through executive roles at state, national and international levels.
Dr Robert Andrew Reid
Sports physician, board member of Sports Medicine Australia. For significant service to sports medicine through executive roles with professional organisations, and as a voluntary medical officer.
Professor David John Shearman
Founder of Doctors for the Environment Australia, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Adelaide. For significant service to medicine in the fields of gastroenterology and environmental health, particularly the impact of global climate change.
Associate Professor Robert Ian Smee
Conjoint associate professor at UNSW; Department of Radiation Oncology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. For significant service to medicine as a radiation oncologist, and through professional organisations and leadership roles.
Dr John Julian Smiles
Ophthalmic surgeon. For significant service to medicine as an ophthalmologist, and to international relations through eye health programs in Samoa.
Dr Christina Meredith Steffen
Cairns general and vascular surgeon. For significant service to medicine as a general and vascular surgeon, particularly through research and outreach programs.
Dr Neil Eastwood Street
Deputy Head of Anaesthesia at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead in Sydney. For significant service to medicine in the fields of paediatric anaesthesia and malignant hyperthermia, and to the people of the Asia–Pacific region through medical aid programs.
Professor John Douglas Watson
Associate Dean and Head of Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School, Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney. For significant service to medicine in the field of neurology, to medical education and administration, and through mentoring roles.
Dr Graeme Watts
General practitioner, founder of the Australian Wheelchair Tennis Association. For significant service to people with a disability, particularly to wheelchair sports, and to health sciences education.
Dr Richard John Willis
Former president of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. For significant service to medicine in the field of anaesthesia, and to professional organisations.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION
Colonel Bradley John McCall
Australian Army. For exceptional service as the Public Health Physician, Health Threat Assessment Team, 2nd Health Support Battalion, Senior Medical Officer, Headquarters 1st Division; and Director of Clinical Services, 2nd General Health Battalion.
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Professor John Gregory Aaskov
Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Queensland University of Technology. For service to medical research in the field of infectious diseases.
Dr Franklin T K Chew
Chairman of the Chinese Association of Victoria’s School Building Fund. For service to the Chinese community of Victoria, and to medicine.
Dr Malcolm Victor Dunjey
For service to medical administration, and to the community.
Dr Margaret Juliet Redelman
General practitioner, accredited clinical psychosexual therapist. For service to medicine, particularly in the field of sexual health.
Dr Kathryn Louise Robinson
Haematologist with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and the South Australian BloodSafe program. For service to medicine in the field of haematology.
Dr Alan Thomas Rose
For service to medicine, and to professional organisations.
Dr David Barton Warden
For service to medicine as a general practitioner.
The late Professor Roderick Alan Westerman
Initiated the Australian Certificate of Civil Aviation Medicine in 1990, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, commercial airlines, and the Royal Australian Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine. For service to aerospace medicine.
Dr Walter Barry Wood
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology and the Queensland Institute of Forensic Pathology. For service to medical education, and to the community.
Dr Simon John Young
Former chairman of Advanced Paediatric Life Support. For service to paediatric emergency medicine.
- Cate Swannell