Nearly two dozen specialists have been recognised for their achievements in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, with names across all ranks of the Order of Australia.

The 2023 list also included a COVID-19 Honour Roll, with 77 Australians recognised for their contribution to the national response to the pandemic.

This featured high profile names including Dr Norman Swan and Lieutenant General John Frewen, with honours also going to Medical Board of Australia chair Dr Anne Tonkin and the health economist Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett.

Doctors from multiple specialties were represented, including haematology, gastroenterology, neurology, rheumatology, cardiology, respiratory medicine and oncology.

Read a list of some of the big names below:

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Professor Michael Berndt, Victoria

For distinguished service to medical research in the field of haematology, to tertiary education, and to the promotion of science.

Professor Steven Collins, Victoria

For distinguished service to medical and health science research, particularly in the field of prion disease.

Professor Mark Cook, Victoria

For distinguished service to neurological medicine and research through contributions to the treatment of epilepsy.

Dr Anne Tonkin, South Australia

For distinguished service to medical professional regulation, to tertiary education, and to clinical pharmacology.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Dr Sonya Bennett, ACT

For significant service to public health in leadership roles.

Dr Alan Bryan, Victoria

For significant service to paediatric medicine.

Professor Clara Chow, NSW

For significant service to medicine as a cardiologist, and to research.

Professor Martin Delatycki, Victoria

For significant service to medicine, to genetic research, and to education.

Associate Professor Peter Downie, Victoria

For significant service to paediatric oncology, to teaching, and to research.

Professor Gemma Figtree, NSW

For significant service to medicine in the field of cardiology.

Professor Kiaran Kirk, ACT

For significant service to science education and research, and to professional organisations.

Dr Melvyn Korman, Victoria

For significant service to gastroenterological and hepatological medicine.

Dr Elizabeth Lording (McDonald), Victoria

For significant service to medicine, particularly to Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation and research.

Professor Anna Poidevin (De Fazio), NSW

For significant service to medicine, particularly cancer research.

Emeritus Professor Ian Puddey, Western Australia

For significant service to medical education, research and administration.

Professor Gail Risbridger, Victoria

For significant service to medical research and administration, and to education.

Professor Katharine Steinbeck, NSW

For significant service to adolescent medicine through a range of roles.

Dr Norman Swan, NSW

For significant service to the broadcast media as a science and health commentator.

Professor Bruce Thompson, Victoria

For significant service to respiratory medicine, and to tertiary medical education

Professor Michelle Leech, Victoria

For significant service to medical education, and to professional organisations.

Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

The late Dr Donald Cameron, Formerly of Victoria

For service to paediatric gastroenterology.

Dr Barry Dowty, Victoria

For service to medicine in a range of roles.

Dr Hugo Gold, Victoria

For service to medicine.

Dr Ian Douglas, NSW

For service to dermatology.

Dr Mark Stephens, Victoria

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Professor Tissa Wijeratne, Victoria

For service to medicine as a neurologist.

Each year, the limbic scours the lists for specialists joining the Order of Australia honours. If you believe someone has been overlooked, please get in touch at [email protected]