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QAS Home > About QAS > KJ McPherson Foundation > Our Patron

Our Patron

Professor Pearn is a prominent Australian who has assisted and supported ambulance clinical activity for many years.  The Foundation approached Professor Pearn to accept the role of Patron and he graciously accepted.

Professor Pearn is a leader in the field of Child Health and his research is widely published.  Professor Pearn has served as Surgeon General in the Australian Defence Force and has extensive experience in clinical research, academic systems, clinical practice, military and civilian health systems and third world disaster response.

Major General, Professor
John Hemsley PEARN  AM, RFD, KStJ

A distinguished practitioner, academic and military doctor –John Pearn achieved first-class honours in medicine and also graduated from science.  He joined the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps in 1966 two years after finishing medical school. 

As a Doctor - Professor Pearn is a recently retired Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Queensland

He established the first hospital genetics clinics in Qld at the Royal Children’s Hosp and the Royal Women’s Hosp. (in 1974)

He holds double doctorates in medicine and philosophy  

Professor Pearn’s clinical interests encompass general paediatrics, medical genetics, clinical toxicology, tropical medicine and accident prevention.

He has a distinguished career in Child Health and this has earned him international acclaim and respect as a World Leading authority in his discipline.

As an Academic – Professor Pearn is a prolific producer of cutting edge research in Child Health, general Medicine and in Medical History.  He has published numerous articles advancing medical science, both singularly and in company, often as a mentor to his students.

As a Soldier – Major General Pearn is a former Surgeon-General of the Australian Defence Force. He has served in Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.  He has studied, worked and served in U.K. (with the British parachute regiment), The Arctic Circle and Rwanda. 

He responded to the Asian tsunami, which affected New Guinea in December 2004 and more recently as a member of the Queensland Health team who responded to the tsunami in Banda Ache.

He has also worked with the World Health Organisation and UNESCO.

General Pearn is one of the founders and later President, of the Australian Society of the History of Medicine.

Professor Pearn gives very generously of his time to volunteer organisations and has been heavily involved in St John Ambulance for many years.  Firstly as a Medical Officer and later District Surgeon.  He also became the National Director of Training for St John and more recently he is the President of St John in Queensland.

Some of John Pearn’s other big passions and interests include:-

He is Patron of:-

and

He was awarded:-

and

Professor Pearn is a prolific author and he has published more than 170 chapters, more than 30 books and more clinical papers and presentations than can be counted.

He boasts a string of more than 40 awards, academic medals, campaign medals and service decorations, including Member of the Order of Australia, Knight of the Order of St John and a Centenary Medal – for services to the Nation.

Professor Pearn’s commitment to medicine and particularly Pre-Hospital Emergency Care led him to launch the new Australian College of Ambulance Professionals in 2000.

His dedication and commitment to medical services and his willingness to assist and serve has resulted in the KJ McPherson Education and Research Foundation being able to secure him as their Patron.


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Last updated 17 August 2007