Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences news

Queen's Birthday Honours for Geoffrey Vaughan and Geoffrey Sussman

Geoffrey Vaughan

Dr Geoffrey Vaughan was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his extraordinary leadership in education and research. The award recognises his service to scientific research and development, particularly through the development of government policy initiatives, growth of innovative technology-based Australian companies, and mentoring and supporting young scientists. His 2001 Centenary Medal recognised his outstanding service to medical and pharmaceutical research.

Geoff’s connection with the faculty began in 1961, when he was employed as a lecturer in pharmaceutical chemistry. He became head of department in 1963 and dean of the faculty in 1979. In 1986, he was appointed Director of Chisholm Institute of Technology until it was absorbed into Monash University, where, in 1990, he became the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) until 1992. From 1992 to 1996, he was National Manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration within the Department of Health, Canberra, and Chairman of the Cooperative Research Centres Committee from 1996 to 2005.
As dean of the faculty, he initiated a strong focus on research into drug development and health advancement, establishing global links that brought the faculty an international reputation and commercial success.

Geoff has contributed greatly to research and development in Australia. On a personal level, he is a passionate mentor and supporter of young researchers. At a government level, he has been active in developing public policies and administration initiatives. In education, he has overseen significant growth in the tertiary institutions he managed. As a member of several company boards he has made a substantial contribution to pharmaceutical and biotechnology start-up companies, where he encourages research, development and innovation.

Geoff is currently a Director of the Institute of Drug Technology Australia Ltd and a Director of Cytopia Ltd. Since 2001, he has been a board member of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Foundation, a role that involves being an active and passionate advocate for the faculty and its programs.

“I see this award as recognition of the efforts and accomplishments of those people I’ve worked with over the years,” said Geoff. “It’s been a team effort.”

Dr Jennifer Martin (BPharm 1982, MPharm 1986), Associate Professor at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland and winner of the 2005 Roche medal, was keen to congratulate Geoff.

“I was delighted to learn that Geoff’s contributions to science have been recognised. I have known him for 25 years,” she said. “In that time, he has been my teacher, mentor, advisor and now colleague, and I have benefited enormously from his wisdom, insight, advice and, of course, his wry humour.”

Geoffrey Sussman

Geoffrey Sussman (PhC 1961), a senior lecturer at the faculty, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to pharmacy, wound care and sport.

Geoff, who earlier this year was made a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, received the award for his work as a clinician, researcher and educator in wound care and for his involvement in diving and gymnastics.

Over the past 30 years, he has established an international reputation in wound management and is well known across the pharmacy, medicine, nursing and other health professions for his work. In 2003, he received a Centenary Medal for his service to sport, in particular gymnastics.

About 12 years ago, Geoff co-founded the Wound Foundation of Australia, which is based at the faculty. He is chairman of the Education Commission of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies and former president of the Australian Wound Management Association. He works with the Divisions of General Practice and the Victorian Medical Postgraduate Foundation to provide continuing education for doctors, the PSA and pharmacy schools around Australia and New Zealand. He also established wound management training for pharmacy schools in Ohio, USA.

He has been involved in sport for more than 40 years. He was president of Gymnastics Victoria from 1987 to 2006 and was a member of Sports Medicine Australia and the Doping Advisory Control panel for Swimming Australia from 1988 to 2005. He helped form the Australian Diving Association and was chairman for 10 years. He was also a delegate to both the Victorian Olympic Council and the Victorian Commonwealth Games Association, and was the team attaché for the Mauritian team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Geoff said that he was humbled by the announcement of his award.

“This is not something that you ever strive for or set out to achieve,” he said. “I do the work because I’m very passionate about improving the cause for people with wounds.

“It’s very gratifying because, other than Dr Fiona Wood, few people have been recognised for their involvement in wound care. This is an important area of work that needs to be seen as critical to the general health of the community.”

Geoff’s award was welcome news to many in the pharmacy, wound care and sporting communities. Letters of congratulation have been flowing in from all around Australia, with almost every letter referring to Geoff’s tireless commitment to his work.

“I congratulate Geoff on being awarded the OAM from a personal and professional standpoint,” said Dr Fiona Wood, Australian of the Year 2005. “Geoff has been tireless in his promotion of issues relating to wound care over many years, and the recognition of Geoff is recognition of the importance of wound care in our health system.”