A News Item circulated by Victor Melder, one entiled “An enduring commitment to patient care”
Also recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, is NSW Health Pathology immunologist, Professor Suran Fernando, who has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to medicine in the field of immunology.
As the inaugural Head of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor Fernando has helped build and shape services that directly improve patient care for people living with complex immune conditions including autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and drug allergies.
Reflecting on the honour, he admits he feels uncomfortable being singled out for recognition given the people and experiences that have defined his career. “I don’t feel deserving of this honour, having worked alongside so many talented and dedicated people throughout my career and simply doing my best to care for patients and improve the health services available to them,” Professor Fernando said.
Among his achievements is establishing the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Royal North Shore Hospital, expanding access to specialised care and improving outcomes for patients with complex allergic and immunological conditions.
He has also contributed to groundbreaking research in the field of drug allergy that has translated into standard of care in clinical practice with improved outcomes at the patient and health service levels.
His dedication to service has also extended beyond Australia. After the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, he travelled to his birthplace, Sri Lanka, where he contributed to rebuilding medical and healthcare infrastructure during a time of immense disruption.
He has provided care to people living with HIV in the Western and Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea and has contributed to HIV mentoring programs in the region. He has also helped introduce cost-effective molecular tests to prevent the development of life-threatening drug reactions in Vietnam.
Professor Fernando says his focus remains firmly on the impact of his work on patients and communities.
“Helping patients and ensuring people get the best possible care will always be foremost in my mind. But I am extremely humbled by this recognition.”
Together, Professors Rawlinson and Fernando exemplify the very best of NSW Health Pathology, combining scientific excellence with compassion and a shared commitment to improving lives.
Their recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours not only celebrates individual achievement, but also highlights the essential role pathology and public health play in protecting the health and wellbeing of all Australians. Congratulations to you both!
ALSO NOTE
We warmly congratulate our Chair, Professor Terence Jeyaretnam AM, on being recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, with the citation: “For significant service to social justice, and to environmental conservation and sustainability.”
Reflecting on the honour, Terence shared that, having come to Australia as a refugee, the protection of human rights is not an abstract idea but a lived experience, and one that continues to shape his commitment to Amnesty’s mission, including the recognition that environmental change is increasingly a human rights issue.
We are proud to work alongside him and warmly congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.
#KingsBirthdayHonours #OrderOfAustralia #HumanRights #SocialJustice #AmnestyInternational
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