Professor Lex Doyle honoured for outstanding contribution to paediatrics

27 May 2019 | Pregnancy | Research and clinical trials

Professor Lex Doyle, the Women’s Head of Clinical Research Development, has received the prestigious Howard Williams Medal at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) annual meeting held in Auckland this May.

Each year the medal is awarded to a clinician who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to improving the health of children and young people in Australia or New Zealand.

Over the course of his esteemed career, Prof Doyle has made a significant impact in the area of neonatology and paediatrics research, leading multiple studies aimed at improving outcomes for our most vulnerable infants.

Director of Neonatal Medicine, Professor Peter Davis, said Prof Doyle was an extremely deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

“Lex is universally recognised as one of the leading experts in the world on assessment of long-term outcomes after very preterm birth,” Professor Davis said. “He has led many studies which have resulted in changed practices being adopted worldwide and affecting the lives of literally thousands of infants.”

“Lex’s pioneering work and leadership in this field has not only helped to advance clinical outcomes for neonates, but has also helped to attract many trainees, masters and doctorate candidates from around the world. Lex has been very supportive of women in research, as evidenced by the number he has mentored to successful research careers,” added Associate Professor Jeanie Cheong, neonatologist and long-time research colleague and collaborator.

Over the past four decades Prof Doyle has made significant contributions to neonatology and paediatrics research; he has been published in over 550 scientific journals and has been a speaker at more than 150 conferences internationally. His expertise is sought all over the world, especially in developing countries where his work has been particularly influential.

Prof Doyle said he was humbled to receive the award, “It’s always an honour to be acknowledged by your peers but the real heroes are the families and their vulnerable babies who battle against the odds and go on to lead healthy lives, and I’m privileged to be able to play a part in making that happen,” he said.