Colleagues and friends have paid tribute to distinguished dermatologist and former AMA (NSW) president Professor Saxon Smith, who died earlier this month.

Professor Smith was remembered as a strong advocate for the profession and a highly accomplished clinician, researcher and educator, whose life was characterised by real warmth and humanity.

He died on 8 February, having undergone extensive treatment for sarcoma.

Australasian Society of Cosmetic Dermatologists president Professor Greg Goodman said his work would leave a lasting impact.

“Professor Saxon Smith’s legacy is marked by his profound impact on dermatology education, research, and patient care,” he wrote in an obituary on the ASCD website (link here).

“He will be deeply missed by colleagues, students, and the many lives he touched. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Born in 1976, Professor Smith graduated medicine in 2000 from the University of Otago, New Zealand, earned a Master’s Degree in Health Law from the University of Sydney in 2006 and was a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

His Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) through the University of Sydney explored the “Assessment of treatment confounders and interventions to reduce treatment non-adherence in paediatric atopic dermatitis.”

Clinical Professor Smith practiced dermatology at several teaching hospitals including St Vincent’s, John Hunter, Liverpool and Royal North Shore. Most recently he was in private practice in Gosford & St Leonards, and a visiting medical officer at the SAN in Wahroonga.

In 2019 he was admitted to the Roll of Fellows with the AMA for services to medicine and the association, in the same year he received a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Australasian College of Dermatologists for services in dermatology, education, research & college committees. In 2022 he was made a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine as a dermatologist and researcher and to professional societies.

Professor Smith presented at numerous national and international conferences and had over 90 publications and over 130 published abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. He received the Adrian Johnson Prize from the Australasian College of Dermatologists in 2010.

AMA leadership roles

Professor Smith served as AMA (NSW) President from 2014 – 2016 during which time he worked tirelessly to represent doctors and patients. He spent six years on the AMA Federal Council, 16 years on the AMA (NSW) Council and 10 years on the Board of Directors including as chair for two years. He is a past chair of the Australasian College of Dermatologists Representatives Committee & Public Affairs Committee.

AMA (NSW) CEO Fiona Davies said she was always struck by Professor Smith’s kindness, approachability and empathy towards patients and colleagues.

“He was very successful, but what made him unique was how open he was about his own challenges, which as you know is very rare in medicine,” she recalled.

“Even before his cancer diagnosis, he had a lengthy history of serious illness and that made him very empathetic.”

“People really confided in him and that willingness to show you could be extraordinarily successful with that level of humanity made him very special in is something we need to see more of in the profession.”

The association’s obituary (link here) noted that as AMA (NSW) president, Professor Smith had been a prominent spokesperson for the sun protection public health campaign.

His ground-breaking research on sunscreen was pivotal in educating consumers about proper sunscreen usage, it said.

Professor Smith’s research found many people were not aware that sunscreen had an expiry date; that it deteriorates when stored above 25 degrees; that it needs to be reapplied after two hours; and that you need two tablespoons to cover the whole body.

He was a Clinical Professor with The Australian National University and an Honorary Associate with The University of Sydney.

In 2016 Professor Smith co-wrote a children’s book about eczema inspired by his then five-year-old son, who was affected by the condition.

Professor Smith is survived by his wife Camille and son Elliot.

Clinical Professor Smith with his family in 2016 launching the book Elliot’s Meditotz Adventure. Source AMA (NSW)