Vale Dr John Dixon Hughes

Vale Dr John Dixon Hughes

AMA (NSW) ACKNOWLEDGES the sad passing of Dr John Dixon Hughes OAM on 14 September 2022. He is remembered for his life of service to his patients and Sydney Hospital, and his support of medical research and innovation. 

Dr Hughes was a well-known and highly esteemed consultant general surgeon. He served on multiple committees throughout his career and was valued for his contributions to medicine.

In addition to being a life-long member of the Australian Medical Association for 58 years, he was the longest-standing Director and former Chairman of the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation (NFMRI) and founding member of the Foundation in 1977. The NFMRI established the Dr John Dixon Hughes Medal for Medical Research Innovation in his honour. The medal is awarded every two years to a researcher under the age of 45 for outstanding contribution towards the development and advancement of a biomedical innovation related to the nature, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and incidence of disease and other health problems that have a significant impact on the health of humans.

He was a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was awarded the College Medal in 1990 and the NSW State Committee Merit Award in 2008 for distinguished service to surgery. 

Dr Hughes was a Foundation member of the Australian Association of Surgeons, Distinguished Councillor from 1982 and served as President, Secretary and Councillor for many years. 

He received the NSW President’s Award in 1990 for distinguished services to medicine in NSW.

In addition, he served as Chairman of the Infection Control Advisory Group for NSW Health and an approved medical specialist for the Workers Compensation Commission NSW for disputes and appeals. He was also a Board member for more than 14 years, and served as Senior Vice President, Chairman of Medical Staff Council and Chairman of the Surgical Research and Ethics Committees at Sydney Hospital. 

Dr Hughes was awarded an OAM in 2010 for his services to medicine. 

He is remembered by his family, friends and colleagues.