Howard Williams Medal
Award not offered in 2026.
The Howard Williams Medal recognises a member of the Paediatrics & Child Health Division who has made an outstanding contribution to improving the health of children and young people in Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Medal is awarded by the College each year at RACP Congress, where the recipient gives an oration regarding their contribution.
Learn more about the life of Dr Howard Williams, who the honour is named after.
Associate Professor John Collins | 2025 recipient
Associate Professor John Collins has been a pioneer in paediatric pain medicine and palliative care both in Australia and New Zealand. After training in both the UK and USA, he further developed multidisciplinary complex pain clinics and paediatric palliative care services (including home care and hospice care) at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney from 1998.
He was a foundation member and Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Palliative Care Reference Group from 2003. A/Prof Collins and this group have led a number of initiatives in quality (e.g. development of standards and clinical indicators) and educational resources (e.g. a national practical guide and development of the “pop-up” method of delivering education). A/Prof Collins established a centre for post graduated training in 2000 and has mentored many other clinicians, including international specialists. His research has focused on pain and symptom management including a PhD and 41 peer reviewed publications.
He established an annual Symposium on paediatric palliative medicine in 2003 which has become the premier networking and education event within Australian and New Zealand Aotearoa. A/Prof Collins is an engaging speaker and has been involved in education locally, nationally and internationally (including 50 National and International Invited Presentations).
See past Howard Williams Medal recipients.
Eligibility
Nominees must be:
- a Fellow of the RACP's Paediatrics & Child Health Division
- nominated by a Fellow or trainee of the RACP's Divisions, Faculties and Chapters
Nominees cannot submit a nomination on their own behalf.
A non-Fellow may be considered in exceptional circumstances only.
Prize
The recipient of the Howard Williams Medal receives:
- the Howard Williams Medal, presented at the 2025 RACP Congress
- full RACP Congress registration, including the Gala Dinner
- return economy Australian domestic or trans-Tasman airfares and up to 3 nights' accommodation
- an invitation to give an oration on their contributions as part of the 2025 RACP Congress program
Nominate
Read the Terms & Conditions for Meritorious Awards by Nomination before submitting a nomination.
Nominations must be submitted to foundation@racp.edu.au, including:
- Completed nomination form
Provide an appreciation and evaluation of the contributions of the nominee, including details of the contribution made by the person nominated and the impact of the contribution.
- CV of nominee
- Letter of support from a referee
The nomination process and all documents provided will remain in strict confidence
Selection criteria
You must demonstrate how your nominee has made an outstanding contribution to improving the health of children and young people in Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand in one or more of the following areas:
1. Education and teaching
- Evidence of national and/or international contribution to leadership and innovation in teaching and professional education by the nominee.
- Involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate education at a national and/or international level.
2. Research
- Research contributions of national and/or international significance with dissemination in peer reviewed publications (national/international) and other international forums. This may include presentations by invitation in plenary sessions at meetings of national and/or international significance.
- Evidence of national and/or international competitive research funding.
3. Professional service and leadership
- Recognition as an expert in child and/or youth health at a national and/or international level.
- Leadership in national and/or international organisations.
- Senior administrative leadership in university, hospital or other professional organisations.
4. Policy and advocacy
- Involvement in the development of policy at a national and/or international level.
- Recognition as an advocate for children and young people at a national and/or international level.
5. Contribution to disadvantaged groups
- Evidence of contribution locally, nationally and/or internationally to disadvantaged children and young people, including:
- Indigenous groups
- refugee groups
- rural and remote areas
- low socioeconomic groups
Selection process
All nominations will be assessed based on the outlined selection criteria.
The Paediatrics & Child Health Division Council reserves the right not to award the Medal if all nominations received don't meet the selection criteria.
Unsuccessful nominations, that are of sufficient quality, can be carried over to the following year upon request.
For more information about the Howard Williams Medal, contact the RACP Foundation.