RPA's Professor Richard Scolyer among honours recipients.

A global leader in melanoma diagnosis and research at RPA is among members of Sydney Local Health District named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of their commitment to the health and wellbeing of patients, their families and the community.

Professor Richard Scolyer has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to medicine, particularly in the field of melanoma and skin cancer, and to national and international professional organisations.

“We have an amazing team of people doing world leading melanoma research and it’s a huge honour to be leading that team and to be recognised in this way,” Professor Scolyer said.

He is a Senior Staff Specialist in Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology at RPA, Co-Medical Director at the Melanoma Institute Australia and a Conjoint Professor at The University of Sydney.

A world-leading melanoma pathologist, he receives more than 2,000 cases for review and opinion from across the globe every year.

Professor Scolyer, and his dedicated team of researchers at RPA, and Melanoma Institute Australia, aim to achieve zero deaths from melanoma.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed with the disease every 30 minutes. 1300 Australians are expected to die from the disease this year. Melanoma is also the most common cancer impacting 15 to 39-year-olds.

Professor Scolyer’s latest discoveries in immunotherapy stretch beyond melanoma to patients with many other types of cancers, and have demonstrated improvements in survival outcomes.

“Every cancer patient ultimately has their cancer diagnosed by a pathologist; what we see down the microscope and our research breakthroughs determine how a patient is treated and managed.

“Our research provides opportunity not only to benefit a single patient, but to make a difference to many thousands of patients for years to come, and that is what continues to drive us all,” Professor Scolyer said.

Professor Scolyer was named the NSW Premier's Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year in 2020. He is ranked as the world's leading melanoma pathologist. He won the RPA Foundation Research Medal and Prize in 2016.

Sydney University’s Professor Emeritus Adrian Bauman, a member of the Charles Perkins Centre, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to public health, to the prevention of chronic disease, and to tertiary education.

The University’s Clinical Professor Carol Pollock, who has conducted research alongside the District’s clinicians, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to medical research, education and science, to nephrology, and to clinical practice and governance.

And, the Chair of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Douglas Snedden, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the community through social welfare, health, and cultural institutions.

Colleagues at NSW Health – Dr Michelle Cretikos, former Director of Nursing and Midwifery at RPA Joanne Edwards, Dr Jeremy McAnulty and Dr Christine Selvey – have been awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding service.

They have been included on a special COVID-19 Honour Roll which has been established to recognise the contribution of those who have supported Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And, Joseph Carrozzi, Robert Estcourt, Dr Elizabeth Harris, Letitia Lancaster and Christopher Rigby have each been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Mr Carrozzi is the Chair of the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, based at RPA and has been recognised for his significant service to business, and to the community through multicultural and not-for-profit organisations.

Mr Estcourt, the Chairman of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research since 2012, has been recognised for his significant service to the financial management sector.

Dr Elizabeth Harris, an Adjunct Associate Professor in Health Equity Research at the University of New South Wales, has been recognised for her significant service to equity in healthcare, to research, and to social work.

Dr Harris was involved in setting up the Health Equity Research and Development Unit – a partnership between the District and the University.

Letitia Lancaster, a Clinical Nurse Specialist with RPA’s Oncology Unit from 1983-1993, has been recognised for her significant service to oncology nursing, and to professional societies.

Christopher Rigby, a member of Ethics Committees at the then Central Sydney Area Health Service during 1990-1991, has been recognised for his significant service to health and aged care organisations.

And, Reginald Chard, Anne Cooper, the late Vera Crvenkovic, Bernadette Mottram and Susan Murray have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Mr Chard, a volunteer tour guide at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway that runs from Rhodes to Concord Hospital, has been recognised for his service to military history, and to veterans.

Ms Cooper, a former Registered Nurse at RPA, has been recognised for her service to osteopathy.

Ms Crvenkovic, a health care interpreter for 40 years, has been recognised posthumously for her service to the Croatian community.

Miss Mottram, a Charge Sister in the Orthopaedic Ward at RPA from 1977-1981, has been recognised for her service to nursing, and to veterans.

Ms Murray, a former Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health from 2011-2012, has been recognised for her service to the community, particularly to breast cancer research and suicide prevention.

The Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List recognises 1,190 Australians.

Recipients will receive their awards at Government House in Canberra, or they’ll be presented by the State Governor in New South Wales.