‘A once-in-a-generation agenda setter’: Professor Michael Dooley receives 2022 Fred J Boyd Award
Professor Michael Dooley, Director of Pharmacy at Melbourne’s Alfred Health and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Monash University, this morning received the 2022 Fred J Boyd Award, recognising his impact as a pharmacy industry leader, researcher and innovator committed to improving patient outcomes across the reach of health care, and his revolutionary stewardship of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) from 2014 to 2018.
At Medicines Management 2022 (MM2022) in Brisbane this morning, outgoing SHPA President Peter Fowler returned to the stage to bestow the organisation’s highest honour, noting Professor Dooley’s career spanning special clinical roles in oncology through to senior leadership positions, including his four-year term as one of SHPA’s most consequential presidents.
‘Under his leadership, the revitalisation of Specialty Practice in 2017 was an instant success. More than half of all SHPA members have been consistently enrolled since 2018 and the uniquely broad and democratic structure has powered many of SHPA’s strategic achievements, including expanded education offerings and updated and new Standards of Practice.
‘With an eye on the future and the importance of an expertly trained pharmacy workforce, Michael’s leadership also saw the introduction of Foundation Residencies, now in place at nearly 50 sites nationally, and Advanced Training Residencies, which can now be undertaken in many leading pharmacy specialties and are continuing to expand.’
Professor Dooley’s time as SHPA President also saw influential advances in advocacy, including a landmark report into medicine shortages in Australia (2017), after which he personally contributed to the development of a national approach for managing medicines shortages, and an influential report on strategies to reduce opioid related harm culminating in recommendations to the Commonwealth that prompted introduction of mitigation measures in 2018.
Mr Fowler also highlighted Professor Dooley’s extensive contribution to hospital pharmacy and the broader pharmacy profession, on a state-wide, national and international level.
‘Michael has led and shaped many international and Australian committees and programs related to improving the quality of health care services and medication use. Recent examples including leading the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service and the coordination of medication access and supply during the pandemic, in Victoria and nationally.
‘Through his leadership as Director of Pharmacy at Alfred Health the pharmacy services have implemented innovative clinical and educational programs that have been adopted in many other services in Australia and beyond. Examples include the Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) model which has been supported by the Victorian Department of Health in implementations across the state.
‘This innovative model of care, now practiced across Australia is a frontier of pharmacist practice that has helped reduce medication errors, patient harm and reduce length of hospitalisation.’
Fellow SHPA Board Director Deirdre Criddle says that as SHPA President, Professor Dooley ‘walked the talk’.
‘Michael didn’t just have great vision, he had an incredible capacity for work. Wherever he put his mind, energy and passion – things happened.
‘Michael’s influence and impact has been described as that of a “once-in-a-generation” agenda setter. He continues to be a prime mover within and beyond our profession, and in so many ways we have all been beneficiaries of Michael’s unparalleled vision, drive and enthusiasm.’