A series of challenges, I’ve always succumbed to challenges. This has led to a most enjoyable and satisfying career.

The first challenge was only being allowed to do medicine at Sydney University (1961-1966) if I obtained a Commonwealth Scholarship. No one in our family had ever been to university and we had minimal knowledge of what university or a medical career would be like. Another challenge was when my plans for general practice were derailed by Professor Tom Stapleton asking me to be his registrar for a year, promising in return to find me a teaching hospital job in London. The professorial registrar job was stimulating. I learned to think critically, to enquire and decided to become a paediatrician. That year I wrote four papers and was infected with the writing and publishing bug.

The next challenge was when I arrived at St Mary’s in London to find that I was the only paediatric registrar without MRCP. The membership written exams, only available in adult medicine, were in 5 months so that kept me busy while also working in a job providing hospital level care for children in their own homes. I learned about the real world, often not appreciated by those who never leave the pristine environment of a major hospital. At St Mary’s I received good clinical experience, learned some laboratory techniques and wrote several more papers. After further training at Boston Children’s Hospital, I returned to Children’s Hospital at Camperdown in 1974 to establish a Community Paediatric Unit, emphasising multidisciplinary care for children with disability.

This was another challenge, as I wanted to help these families avoid the numerous, often uncoordinated, appointments on multiple days. I had a talented team, we did some good things and I developed great admiration for the inner strength of many of these parents. Awareness of child abuse was just starting. At a Medical Staff Council meeting, soon after my return to Sydney, the senior consultant said he wanted no more abused children under his care, suggesting young Oates could deal with these problems. This was indeed a challenge, although not unanticipated. I decided if I was going to look after these children, I should also study the problem, leading to an MD (research) in 1985 and a DSc (published work) in 2006.

The early days in child protection were both depressing and exciting. Exciting, because we were breaking new ground, protecting many children and helping families with the difficult task of parenting. I never did child protection full time, but managed to make some gains in the area, obtaining money for a fellowship program, lobbying for government reforms and serving on the Council of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect for 24 years, including a term as President. In 1985, Sydney University established the Burrows Chair of Paediatrics. This was an irresistible challenge. Because of previous ill feeling between the hospital and the university, I simultaneously took on Chair of the Division of Medicine to promote healing, holding these positions for 12 years. The university role provided opportunities to appoint young rising stars, who subsequently became full professors, filling major chairs nationally. When the Chief Executive position at Children’s Hospital became available in 1997 I was encouraged to apply. I wasn’t sure that I wanted it, but it was another challenge! It turned out to be a great opportunity, working with a good team to develop various initiatives, encouraging every member of staff to feel valued and making research, along with patient care and education, a hospital priority. I also learned to understand the causes of error and the importance of seeing things from the patient and family viewpoint. I continued my outpatient clinic throughout, as it kept me grounded in reality.

In 2006 I returned to Sydney University part-time undertaking, with Kerry Goulston, a total review of the medical curriculum and establishing a program for future medical leaders in Vietnam. Three years later, the Clinical Excellence Commission asked me to develop an undergraduate patient safety course which I did with help from many experts and have taught it in 5 medical schools. I continue to teach, write, remain involved in Vietnam and run an annual Australian Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety. Working with the next generation of health leaders convinces me that future is in good hands.

After retiring from full time work, I was asked to do a total overhaul of the Sydney University Graduate Medical Program. The other reviewer was Kerry Goulston. Kerry is an adult gastroenterologist, highly respected in the profession. Working with Kerry was marvellous. We discovered that we had complementary skills, similar views about many things and respectful divergent views about a couple of others. We became an effective and productive team, subsequently going on to do a range of other tasks for the university. Kerry also introduced me to Vietnam, where we developed a program of medical education and research for future leaders in Vietnamese healthcare. If there is a view that professional satisfaction, publication and learning stops after full time work ceases, I can assure you that it’s not true.

I’ve picked up a few awards, found time to write 15 books and over 300 papers but most importantly I’m blessed to remain happily married to Robyn, have 3 terrific adult children and 9 grandchildren.

My awards and achievements include: 
2018 Elected as Founding member, International Academy of Quality and Safety
2018 The People’s Health Medal, for significant contributions to health in Vietnam
2016 Honorary life member Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Society of Australasia
2015 Distinguished Professor of Paediatrics Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
2014 Henry Kempe Memorial Lectureship for significant contributions to the field of child abuse and neglect prevention, International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
2012 Life Member, Royal Australasian College of Physicians 2013 Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) University of Western Sydney
2010 Honorary Professor, Hanoi Medical University
2008 Inaugural “Every Kid’s Hero” award, Good Beginnings Australia
2008 Naming of the “Kim Oates Australian Paediatric Simulation Centre”
2007 Finalist, Australian of the Year (NSW)
2007 Howard Williams Medal awarded by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians for “Outstanding contributions to Paediatrics and Child Health in Australasia”
2006 New College Lecturer and Medal, University of New South Wales
2006 Alumni Award for Achievement in Community Service, The University of Sydney
2006 Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney
2005 Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Sydney Clinical School, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
2005 Rockefeller Foundation, scholar-in-residence, Bellagio Study Centre
2003 Centenary Medal, Commonwealth of Australia
2001 Godfrey Visiting Professor, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth
2000 Olympic Torch Bearer
2000 Kempe Award for "Outstanding contributions to the community on behalf of children", Kempe National Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Denver, Colorado
1998 Distinguished Service Award, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
1998 Australian Rotary Award for Vocational Excellence
1997 Life Member, Financial Markets Foundation for Children
1996 Member, Order of Australia
1994 Brandt Steele Award, C. Henry Kempe National Center, University of Colorado
1991 Honorary Member, The Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect, Rosario, Argentina
1990 Distinguished Service Award, Malaysian Council for Social Welfare
1990 C. Henry Kempe Visiting Professor, University of Colorado
1990 Honorary Professor of Paediatrics, Kunming Medical College, China
1983 Nathalie Masse International Prize awarded biennially for "Research in the Field of Childhood", International Children's Centre, Paris
1983 Australian General Hospital Association Prize for "General Proficiency Throughout the Master of Health Planning Degree", School of Health Administration, The University of New South Wales
1973 J. Von Meyer Travelling Fellowship, Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School, Boston