Prof John Simes

Several cancer specialists have been recognised in the 2020 Australia Day honours for services to medicine.

Medical oncologist Professor John Simes of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney and Director of the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, which is located at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, is the recipient of an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to education, and to medicine, in the field of cancer research and clinical trials. Professor Simes is also a University of Sydney Professor of Epidemiology.

Surgeon Dr John Collins of Melbourne is recognised with a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine, particularly to breast cancer treatment. Dr Collins is former head of the Breast Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital. He is Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, and a former member of committees at the National Breast Cancer Centre, COSA, and Cancer Council Victoria.

Also receiving an AM is radiation oncologist Dr Gillian Duchesne of the University of Melbourne Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, for significant service to radiation oncology medicine, and to professional medical organisations. Dr Duchesne is also Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry and Medical Radiations at Monash University, a Chief Investigator at the NHMRC, and a member of the Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer.

Lung cancer surgeon Mr Phillip Antippa of Victoria receives the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to thoracic surgery, and to music. He is Head, Thoracic Surgical Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he  established, Lung Cancer Service. He is also a thoracic specialist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.