The Head of the Dermatology at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor Alan Cooper AM, has retired after a career spanning more than 40 years.

In a statement, the hospital said Professor Cooper has treated thousands of patients as well as trained and mentored many junior doctors in his decades of service at the hospital.

He was the first dermatology registrar at RNSH in 1971 and has been involved with the hospital ever since.

“Alan has played a big part in teaching dermatologists, junior doctors and respiratory physicians throughout his career,” it said.

He has also been heavily involved in clinical and laboratory research through RNSH, and as Chairman of Epiderm, the Australian Dermatology Research and Education Foundation, which supports dermatology research centres throughout the country.

Professor Cooper also served on the board of the Dermatology Research Foundation of the University of Sydney from 1996 to 2011.

His work was recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours where he became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to medicine. In 2017, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to medicine.

“Alan is one of the most experienced and well-acknowledged clinicians who will be dearly missed,” said Royal North Shore Hospital’s general manager Alison Zecchin.

“His colleagues and peers describe him as an incredible mentor with a wonderful sense of humour.”