Toorak Gardens Rhodes Scholar

Dr Patrick Phillips AM

For his significant service to medicine and to diabetes organisations, Pat has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM). As an active member of Diabetes Australia (both nationally and in SA) Pat has contributed to the preparation and implementation of strategies to improve health care and education throughout Australia. He is a general endocrinologist with a special interest in diabetes, thyroid and bone disorders such as osteoporosis. (An endocrinologist is a medical specialist who treats people with a range of conditions that are caused by problems with hormones.)

Dr Phillips was Director of Endocrinology at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, for more than 20 years. He was also former editor of the Diabetes Australia national magazine Conquest and coordinator of the RACGP Guidelines in diabetes.

“I helped organise camps for kids and teenagers with diabetes,” Pat says. “It is difficult for children with diabetes and their parents, especially Type 1, as their blood sugar levels can vary wildly.” An important part of education was to provide support networks for parents and nutrition advice.

He has also consulted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Lyell McEwin Health Service and the Modbury Hospital.

“I was lucky to be involved in the ASEAN Diabetes Prevention and Control Project,” Pat says. “That was a cooperative project between Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Australia.”

When asked his greatest professional achievement he cites his Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University. Married to Beverly for 50 years he says his greatest achievement and source of pleasure is his family. Father to one son and six daughters, he is the proud grandfather of 11. “The whole family lived within walking distance of each other (until recently) and we get together regularly,” Pat says. “I am proud that three of my daughters became doctors and one is a midwife.”

Pat, of Toorak Gardens, was surprised at his Award but says it gives him more credibility. “I have been invited to get involved with an association of other Award winners to assess further nominations.”

He is semi-retired, still consulting one day a week at the Queen Elizabeth Specialist Centre.