Honours for former RMH staff

Dr Brian Tress, the RMH’s former Director of Radiology, was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his “distinguished service to neuroradiology medicine, to interventional and diagnostic radiography, and to the introduction of new imaging technologies in Australia”.

Dr Tress was well-known at the RMH, calling the hospital home from 1971 to 2015.

Former Director of the RMH’s Bone Marrow Laboratories, Professor Stephen Jane, was also made an AO for his “distinguished service to medical research, to haematology and translational medicine, to advancing access to clinical trials in regional and rural communities, and to tertiary education”. Prof Jane is now the Director of Research at Alfred Health.

Meanwhile, former RMH orthopaedic surgeon, Professor John O’Donnell, and 2014 Research Hall of Fame inductee Dr Colin Begley, were lauded for their clinical work.

Prof O’Donnell was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to orthopaedics as a clinician and mentor”. 

Dr Begley was also appointed an AM for “significant service to haematology and oncology medicine, and to research”.

Dr Begley established and was the inaugural Director of the Bone Marrow Research Laboratories at the RMH, where his research focussed on leukaemia. He is credited with identifying the novel gene SCL, which is now recognised to be the most common molecular abnormality in human T-cell leukaemia. 

And Dr Rondhir Jithoo was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to neurosurgery”. Dr Jithoo trained at the RMH as a visiting medical officer between 2006 and 2010.

Professor Anne Kelso, the current Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, was also named a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her “eminent service to health and medical research sciences and administration, to Australian influenza”.

The Doherty Institute is a joint venture between the RMH and the University of Melbourne. 

The RMH congratulates all recipients and thanks them for their efforts in advancing health for everyone, every day.