Vale Professor Emeritus Richard Smallwood AO
Professor Richard (Dick) Smallwood, clinician, teacher, scholar, advocate, mentor and friend, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on 1 June 2024 aged 87. Colleagues, patients and alumni will have fond memories of his sharp clinical acumen, his wise teaching and his ebullient and engaging nature.
Richard Smallwood (left) at the Priscilla Kincaid-Smith Oration earlier this year.
Dick dedicated over thirty years to teaching undergraduate and graduate medical students at the University of Melbourne. During the 1990s he convened seven high-profile medical ethics seminars for the faculty, bringing a wide range of health consumers and practitioners together with legal and ethical specialists to explore the ethical implications of cutting-edge medical science and health practice.
His distinguished service to the nation included leadership roles with the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and the Australian Medical Council. His highly inclusive leadership style encouraged organisations to consider their mission and relationships with external bodies, creating a contemporary vision for the possibilities of medical practice.
During his term as Chief Medical Officer for the Commonwealth Dick informed policies relating to communicable diseases and pandemics, terrorist-related emergencies and the regulation of health professionals. This included managing the nation’s response to the SARS epidemic, laying the groundwork for the recent COVID-19 epidemic. His sphere of influence and expertise extended far beyond medicine and has contributed greatly the success of Australia’s healthcare systems and research industry.
Dick Smallwood’s service to the nation was recognised in 1997 with an appointment as Officer of the Order of Australia. He was also awarded a Doctor of Medical Science (honoris causa) from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the 2013 Sir William Upjohn Medal.
In addition to his exemplary professional career, Professor Smallwood was beloved by his family and friends and made a lasting impact on every student, patient, trainee, peer and colleague that he encountered.
Vale Professor Richard Smallwood AO.