Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Professor Andrew Davidson has been awarded the Robert Orton Medal for his distinguished service to anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain medicine.

The award, which is the highest honour bestowed by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), recognises service that is exceptional and extends beyond clinical practice.

Professor Davidson received the award at ANZCA’s College Ceremony in Auckland on 2 May.

MCRI Director Professor Kathryn North AC commended Professor Davidson for his international impact across research, education and leadership, and influencing practice and scholarship worldwide.

“This award recognises Andrew’s profound contribution to anaesthesia and pain medicine, and his enduring commitment to improving health outcomes for children,” she said.

Professor Davidson is a senior clinician–researcher at MCRI and Director of the Melbourne Children’s Trials Centre (MCTC), a collaboration between MCRI, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and the University of Melbourne, and is generously funded by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Centre was established in 2014 with the aim of supporting the whole Campus to deliver excellence in design and conduct of all clinical trials.

Professor Davidson also welcomed the State Government’s announcement this month of $2 million towards establishing the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Trials Network (VPCTN) led by MCRI and RCH, in partnership with the Monash Children’s Clinical Trial Centre and Barwon Health.

“The network will create and promote a single point of entry for industry and trial sponsors, initialling focusing on boosting vaccine studies before expanding to advanced therapy trials,” he said.

Professor Davidson’s work spans paediatric anaesthesia, clinical trials and research leadership, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for children undergoing surgery and medical procedures.

He was Editor in Chief of the international journal, Pediatric Anesthesia for nine years and is currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief for Anesthesiology, the world’s highest ranked anaesthesia journal. 

The Robert Orton Medal was establishedin 1967 by the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.