Brownless Medal

The Brownless Medal—named after Sir Anthony Colling Brownless, founder of the Melbourne Medical School—recognises eminent individuals who, through their diligence and leadership, have ensured the growth and positioning of the Melbourne Medical School as a world leader in medical teaching and training, health research, policy and practice.

Established in 2012 as part of celebrations marking the School’s 150^th anniversary, the inaugural Brownless Medal award ceremony recognised five former heads of the Melbourne Medical School.

Key dates for 2023

Thursday 31 August 2023: Nominations open
Monday 9 October 2023: Final nominations, sponsored by a Head of Department, to be submitted to mms-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
First quarter 2024: Award recipient announced

The Brownless Medal may be awarded to a person/or persons of probity who meet the following criteria:

Is an alumnus or an alumna (including honorary), or a past or present honorary or paid staff member of the Melbourne Medical School; and
Has made a contribution to the Melbourne Medical School of such exceptional distinction to have led transformational change in:
- The practice of medicine through the development and application of new knowledge and/or
- The teaching and learning of medicine and/or
- The school’s engagement with and standing in the global community.

1. Nominations sought from Department Heads
The Head of the Melbourne Medical School (MMS) invites Heads of Departments of MMS to nominate for the Brownless Medal award. The Head of the Melbourne Medical School and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences may also choose to make a nomination.

2. Nominations submitted to the Head of the Melbourne Medical School
Nominations consisting of a one-page citation and a full current curriculum vitae are made to the Head of the Melbourne Medical School. Nominations are made and considered in confidence, and the person being nominated will not be informed of the submission being made.

3. Brownless Medal Committee Convened
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences convenes a Brownless Medal Committee to consider the nominations. The Brownless Medal Committee will consist of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the Head of the Melbourne Medical School, and up to three additional members co-opted according to the nominations to be considered.

4. Approval by the Brownless Medal Committee
The Brownless Medal Committee considers the nominations and determines whether to make a recommendation to the Honours Committee for the award of a Brownless Medal.

5. Approval by the Honours Committee
The Dean submits a recommendation for the award of a Brownless Medal to the Honours Committee consisting of:

A letter of introduction
A one-page citation
A full curriculum vitae

6. Notifications to Recipients
Upon approval by the Honours Committee, the Dean notifies the recipient who is presented with a Brownless Medal by the Chancellor at an appropriate ceremony in the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the Head of the Melbourne Medical School.

Step 1. Discuss your suggested nomination with the relevant Head of Department for consideration.

Step 2. Submit a final nomination, sponsored by the relevant Head of Department, to mms-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au by COB Monday 9 October 2023. Nominations must include the following:

one-page citation; and
a full curriculum vitae

Please note: Nominations will only be considered for a person who meets the Nomination Guidelines.

The final nominations will be considered via the MMS School Executive Committee, Chaired by Professor Nicola Lautenschlager - Head of the Melbourne Medical School. All Heads of Department sit on the MMS Executive Committee. Nominations endorsed by the MMS School Executive Committee will be referred to the Faculty for the Brownless Medal Committee to be convened by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences to consider the nominations.