Professor Grant McArthur has been appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia (General Division) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of distinguished service to medicine as a clinician scientist through melanoma and cancer research, and through leadership roles.
A remarkable career
Professor McArthur has had an exceptional career as a clinician scientist, teacher, mentor, advocate and leader. Recognised for his passionate, inclusive, and enthusiastic leadership style and his sharp intelligence and insight, Grant has made an eminent contribution over 30 years.
As the Executive Director of the VCCC Alliance since 2017; the Lorenzo Galli Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers at The University of Melbourne, and Head, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Senior Principal Research Fellow (NHMRC) at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Grant’s academic excellence and long list of qualifications, honours and awards reflect his significant standing in the medical world.
Grant is a world leader in melanoma research and was instrumental in building game-changing novel approaches to the management of advanced melanoma that have saved many thousands of lives. Grant is also an accomplished, energetic and passionate teacher, having supervised 24 PhD students to completion. Despite his many obligations, Grant is renowned for his generous support of fellow researchers, acting as a mentor to help others gain recognition for their work.
An advocate for prevention
One of his proudest achievements, however, was joining forces with the late Claire Oliver, who developed terminal melanoma as a result of solarium use. The duo ran a media campaign that brought unprecedented attention to the issue and ultimately led to national legislative and regulatory changes regarding the use of sunbeds.
Now, as Executive Director of the VCCC Alliance, Grant brings together everything he has learned across a varied and multifaceted career, his personal experience as a patient (Stage 3 Prostate cancer) and his vision and inclusive leadership style to drive an ambitious, collaborative approach that is changing the landscape of cancer research, education and care in Victoria and beyond.
A compassionate leader
Congratulating Professor McArthur on this honour, Chair of the VCCC Alliance, Professor Linda Kristjanson AO, said Grant had made an exceptional contribution:
“Grant is an outstanding leader. In every capacity he has a remarkable track record, however it’s his commitment to improving patient outcomes, and his genuine compassion that really sets him apart.
“That is why he is so well loved and respected by his peers, students, colleagues, patients and the broader cancer community.”
Professor McArthur said he felt proud and humbled to be recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). “It’s been an honour and privilege to work in this important area. Since I started my career in medicine, cancer survival rates have improved from 50% to over 70%. Advanced melanoma has gone from untreatable to curable for 50 per cent of people with the disease. This extraordinary progress is due to many people’s collective efforts and it’s why I am so passionate about the power of collaboration to bring about change,” he said.
“I’m grateful for this recognition and excited about the future of cancer care. Over the past decade there has been an unprecedented increase in our knowledge, understanding and management of cancer. The potential for cures has never been greater – our collective challenge is to make sure that everyone benefits from this progress.”
Podcasts:
Listen to Grant McArthur discussing his personal journey with prostate cancer in ‘The OJC Episode 32: When the Oncologist Gets Cancer‘
Find out why Grant McArthur was a bad marsupial in ‘The OJC Meets Grant McArthur’
Source: VCCC Alliance
