Congratulations to Dr Pat Aldons of the Prince Charles Hospital Brisbane.

The winner of the Wounds Australia Life Member Award was announced last week at the Wounds Australia 2024 Conference on the Gold Coast.

Dr Pat Aldons accepted the award at a Gala Dinner on Tuesday 15 October and expressed his pleasure at the distinction.

"Being the recipient of this prestigious award is enormous, especially as I was there right from the beginning, and I am humbled by this gesture," Dr Aldons said. "The biggest and best satisfaction I receive is as a physician is when we heal wounds that no one else was able to."

Wounds Australia CEO Jeff Antcliff, with Board Chair Simon DePaoli, presented the award in front of a 300-strong audience of members, supporters and peers. Mr Antcliff said the award was a prestigious distinction rewarding outstanding contributions to Wounds Australia or to the wound care world. Dr Aldons is the 43rd Life Member.

"Dr Aldons' contributions to Wounds Australia and to Australian wound care are exemplary," Mr Antcliff said. "He is a worthy recipient of Life Member status and I was delighted to welcome him to its ranks."

Dr Aldons' friend and fellow Wounds Australia Life Member Professor Geoffrey Sussman said Dr Aldon had "made an outstanding contribution to respiratory medicine in general, but to a better understanding of wounds and the mechanisms of healing and better management of complex wounds."

An illustrious career in wound healing

Dr Aldons has contributed extensively to Australian wound care, is a sought-after speaker around the world, and a highly respected researcher. Some highlights from his long career include:  

• The co-founding of the Prince Charles Hospital's Wound Clinic, specialising in simple and complex wounds, in 1991 
• In 1992, he helped establish the Queensland Wound Care Association and Chaired its inaugural State Conference 
• Dr Aldons went on to play a pivotal role in establishing Wounds Australia's predecessor, the Australian Wound Management Association, becoming its inaugural Vice President in 1994 
• He has published widely and been Principal Investigator on more than 40 clinical trials that helped drive best practice – particularly in complex wound management – to new heights. 
• Dr Aldons has shared his knowledge with successive generations of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, holding the position of Warden of Clinical Studies at the University of Queensland's Royal Brisbane Hospital Campus between 1978-1997. 

For much of Dr Aldons career, he worked with the accomplished, widely respected nurse Liz Jenkins, who passed away in mid-2024. Wounds Australia extends its sympathies to all who were privileged to know her.

Read more about Wounds Australia Awards. Read our 2024 Conference wrap story.