Leading paediatrician receives honorary doctorate

Brad Frankum and Kim Oates

Professor Brad Frankum, Deputy Dean, School of Medicine with Emeritus Professor Kim Oates

For decades of work to improve the welfare of children, particularly those suffering from sexual and emotional abuse and violence, Emeritus Professor Kim Oates AM has been acknowledged with an honorary doctorate conferred by the University of Western Sydney.

Emeritus Professor Oates began studying child abuse, neglect, and failure to thrive more than thirty years ago and is widely published and internationally respected for his work. He has written or edited 14 books and has over 300 publications.

He trained as a paediatrician in Sydney, London and Boston. Most of his professional work has been associated with the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children (The Children’s Hospital at Westmead) and the University of Sydney.

Emeritus Professor Oates has made a significant contribution to the development of the School of Medicine at UWS and its teaching program. 

Fittingly, Emeritus Professor Oates received his honorary doctorate at the graduation ceremony for the UWS School of Medicine held on 19 December.

Emeritus Professor Oates held the Foundation Douglas Burrows Chair of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney from 1985-1997, as well as being Chairman of the Division of Medicine at the Children's Hospital, of which he was Chief Executive from 1997-2006.

He was the inaugural chair of the New South Wales Child Death Review Team and founding Chair of the Federal Government's National Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse.

He is also currently the Director of Undergraduate Quality and Safety Education with the Clinical Excellence Commission of NSW.

In 2000, he received the Kempe award from the USA for “outstanding contributions to the community on behalf of children”. 

He also holds the Howard Williams Medal from the College of Physicians for “outstanding contributions to Paediatrics and Child Health in Australasia”.

The UWS Board of Trustees conferred the award of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, on Emeritus Professor Kim Oates AM in recognition of his distinguished contribution to paediatrics and the welfare of children.

Honorary Doctorates are conferred by the UWS Board of Trustees on distinguished individuals who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge or the betterment of society and who have achieved eminence in their field of endeavour at local, State, national or international level.
Ends

19 December 2013

Photo: Sally Tsoutas 

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