Medical profession recognised in Honours list

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020

Almost three dozen AMA members have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for their service to medicine, public health, education, and the Australian community.

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said the doctors have been honoured for their cradle-to-grave care of the Australian community.

“These doctors represent the finest aspects of the medical profession – from dedicated family doctors across the nation, to those fighting cancer in all its forms, and those looking after our servicemen and women and veterans,” Dr Bartone said.

Three members received the second highest award – Officer (AO) in the General Division.

Dr Alexander Auldist, a paediatric surgeon and 2005 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, was recognised for his work as a surgeon, an educator, and his role as a mentor to registrars at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

Professor Georgina Long, the first Australian and the first woman to lead the Society for Melanoma Research, was recognised for her distinguished service to medicine, particularly to melanoma clinical and translational research, and to professional medical societies.

Neurosurgeon and AMA WA Life Member, Professor Bryant Stokes AM RFD, was honoured for his distinguished service to public health care governance and standards in Western Australia through leadership and advisory roles.

Former AMA Secretary General, Francis Sullivan, was also awarded an AO for distinguished service to the community, particularly through social justice and legislative reform initiatives, and to health and aged care.

Several members were made Members (AM) in the General Division, including:

  • Dr Alagappa Arumugam, Victoria, for significant service to medicine, to psychiatric health care, and to professional groups.
  • Dr Christopher Baker, Victoria, for significant service to medicine, to dermatology, and to professional Medical Colleges.
  • Dr John Bartlett, Victoria, for significant service to orthopaedic medicine, and to national and international medical associations.
  • Dr Austin Curtin, NSW, for significant service to medicine, and to health outcomes in regional communities.
  • Dr Jill Gordon, NSW, for significant service to psychological medicine, and to professional medical bodies.
  • Dr Anthony Joseph, NSW, for significant service to emergency medicine, to medical colleges, and to education.
  • Dr Douglas Lording, Victoria, for significant service to medicine, to endocrinology and andrology, and to the community.
  • Professor Philip Morris, Queensland, for significant service to psychiatry, to medical education, and to professional health organisations.
  • Dr Susan Neuhaus CSC, South Australia, for significant service to medicine, to community health, and to veterans and their families.
  • Emeritus Professor Roger Pepperell, Victoria, for significant service to medical education, particularly to obstetrics and gynaecology.
  • Professor Andrew Roberts, Victoria, for significant service to medical research, to haematology, and to cancer organisations.
  • Professor Susan Sawyer, Victoria, for significant service to tertiary education, to adolescent health, and to international groups.
  • Dr Alastair Tulloch, Western Australia, for significant service to medicine, to urology, and to the community of Claremont.
  • Dr Richard Walsh, NSW, for significant service to medicine, to anaesthesia and perfusion, and to professional societies.
  • Dr Lyndall White, Queensland, for significant service to medicine, to psychiatry, and to perinatal and infant mental health.
  • Emeritus Professor Peter Zelas, NSW, for significant service to medicine, to health administration, and to humanitarian medical initiatives.

Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey, the Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force and Commander Joint Health, was made a Member (AM) in the Military Division for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the management of health care.

Members who were awarded the Medal (OAM) in the General Division include:

  • Professor Walter Abhayaratna, the newly-installed AMA ACT President-Elect, for service to medicine in the Australian Capital Territory.
  • Dr Peter Barker, Victoria, for service to medicine.
  • Dr Arthur Michael Briner, Queensland, for service to the Jewish community, and to ophthalmology.
  • Dr Peter Conrad, NSW, for service to vascular medicine, and to professional organisations.
  • Dr David Cooke, NSW, for service to medicine, and to aviation.
  • Dr John Daniels, NSW, for service to Indigenous health.
  • Associate Professor Hadia Haikal-Mukhtar, NSW, for service to medicine, and to the Lebanese community.
  • Dr John Newton, NSW, for service to medicine, particularly to plastic surgery.
  • Dr Roger Pillemer, NSW, for service to community health through medical advisory roles.
  • Dr Sithamparapillai Seelan, NSW, for service to medicine, and to professional colleges.
  • Dr Heather Simmons, Victoria, for service to medicine, particularly to women’s health.
  • Dr Harold Paul Spiro, Queensland, for service to paediatric ophthalmology.
  • Conjoint Professor Paul Walker, NSW, for service to paediatric medicine, and to professional organisations.

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