October 16, 2018  Print

Professor Philip O’Connell received the rare honour of becoming a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).

Professor Philip O’Connell has become a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS).

Professor O’Connell from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, the Westmead Hospital, and the University of Sydney received the prestigious national recognition for his outstanding leadership and contributions to health and medical science in Australia.

Professor O’Connell was among 37 new Fellows elected to AAHMS. New Fellows were welcomed from around Australia, representing a diverse range of fields from immunology and genomics, to biomechanics and biostatistics, through to physiotherapy, mental health, and Indigenous health.

Those selected for Fellowship have demonstrated distinguished professional achievements and significant involvement with issues of health care, prevention of disease, education and research.

Professor O’Connell is a clinician scientist and an international leader in transplantation medicine.

He is director of one the largest transplant centres in Australia and is a Centre Director at the Westmead Institute of Medical Research.

He performed the first trial of pancreatic islet transplantation in Australia and was responsible for its transition into the Australian healthcare system.

Professor O’Connell said it was a great honour to share Fellowship with many of Australia’s premier health and medical scientists.  

“I am extremely proud to be among such a prestigious list of Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences,” Professor O’Connell said.

“To have my achievements and leadership in the health sector rewarded by such esteemed colleagues is a great honour.

“Also I would like to acknowledge the outstanding team I have had the honour of working with both at WIMR and Westmead Hospital.  This award is, in many ways, due to their hard work and commitment."

The Academy’s President, Professor Ian Frazer AC was delighted to welcome these outstanding researchers to the Academy’s Fellowship.

“Their diverse talents and expertise reflect the incredible breadth and depth of Australia’s world class health and medical research,” he said.

Congratulations Professor O’Connell. We are proud to have you here with us at Westmead.