Gastroenterologists Earn King's Birthday Honours
We are pleased to share that three of our members have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List.
Associate Professor Christopher Pokorny was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), while Professor John Olynyk and Associate Professor Peter Nottle were each appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM).
Associate Professor Pokorny was recognised for his service to community health. He has worked at Liverpool Hospital for many years and has contributed extensively to medical education through his roles as Conjoint Associate Professor of Medicine at UNSW and as a medical examiner for the RACP. He is also an honorary professor in postgraduate medical education with the Học Mãi Australia-Vietnam Medical Foundation and an honorary consultant in gastroenterology for Medicine Today.
Professor Olynyk was recognised for his significant service to the health sciences, and to gastroenterology and hepatology. Associate Professor Nottle, Director of Upper GI Surgery at Alfred Health, received his AM for significant service to laparoscopic and gastrointestinal surgery, as well as to clinical leadership and education.
Please join us in congratulating our colleagues on this well-deserved recognition of their contributions.
GASTROENTEROLOGICAL INDUSTRY LEADERS ALSO RECOGNISED
Aside from congratulating our members on their recognition, we are also pleased to shine a light on our industry colleagues (one a former member) who were also called out for their contributions to gastroenterology in Australia.
Dr Ross Elliott (AM) - former GESA member
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to gastroenterology, and to fundraising for research into inflammatory bowel diseases. Ross is the founder and chair of The Gutsy Group. He is now retired from clinical practice at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and private practice.
Professor Katie Allan (AO)
The late Professor Katie Allen was posthumously awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to medical research as a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist, and to the people and Parliament of Australia. Professor Allen was a paediatric gastroenterologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and director of the Centre of Food and Allergy Research at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Dr Paul Jenkins (OAM)
Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to medicine as a paediatrician. He helped establish the neonatal ICU at the former Royal Canberra Hospital and was later director of the paediatric gastroenterology service at The Canberra Hospital.
Professor Michael Solomon (AM)
Head of colorectal surgery at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Professor Solomon was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to gastrointestinal surgery, to surgical outcomes research, and to the community.
Dr Elizabeth Murphy (AM)
Head of colorectal surgery at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, Dr Murphy was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to colorectal and general surgery, and to clinical education and training.
Associate Professor Margaret Schnitzler (AO)
Colorectal surgeon at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Sydney was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her services to fields of medicine and research.
Congratulations one and all for your contributions and recognition.