Dr John Allan is a highly respected obstetrician and gynaecologist whose distinguished career spans more than four decades of clinical practice, research, education, leadership and service to women’s and maternal health in Queensland.

In particular, his contributions to The Wesley Hospital, UnitingCare, our patients, medical students and the broader community have been immeasurable.

Reflecting on the award, one of our country’s highest honours, Dr Allan said he feels honoured and humbled.

“To receive an award because of the work you have done for your country, I think is very important, and I’m sure all recipients feel the same way,” Dr Allan said.

“It came as a bit of a surprise, but immediately I began to think about all the people this award represents.

“I reflect on my staff and colleagues over the years, my amazing patients, and I thank my wife and family for their support and help throughout my career. The award is very much representative of a team effort,” he said.

A pioneer in reproductive medicine, Dr Allan’s first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) was born in Brisbane in 1984, just six years after the world’s first IVF baby – a baby girl named Louise Brown – was born in England in 1978.

Together with his wife Dr Janet Allan – a General Practitioner who subsequently became Clinical Manager of the IVF program – Dr Allan went on to establish the IVF program at The Wesley in 1988 and served as the unit’s inaugural Clinical Director for more than 16 years.

He continued to advance reproductive medicine in Queensland through a number of senior leadership roles in the decades that followed, including Medical Director of Wesley Monash IVF and Director of the Wesley Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Surgery Unit.

“I’ve been lucky to practice obstetrics and gynaecology, such a broad speciality which included delivering babies, gynaecological surgery, fertility and general obstetrics and gynaecology,” Dr Allan shared.

Asked if he can identify one area of his practice or career that was most special or satisfying, Dr Allan replied, “All areas and all patients were special for me, and it was a pleasure to serve them.”

After finishing school aged 15, Dr Allan’s path to medicine was never guaranteed, but the result of hard work and the strong foundation he says was provided by his parents.

“My dad was very ill after the war and my family was not well off, so I finished school at 15 and went to work,” Dr Allan said.

“I worked as a clerk in the Queensland state government and studied at night to gain my matriculation from high school. Eventually, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to study medicine at The University of Queensland.

“I truly believe that in any other country, other than Australia, I would not have been afforded the opportunity to go to university.

“I continually make this point, especially to my students – you need to realise how fortunate you are to live in Australia,” he said.

An Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, Dr Allan has tutored in Obstetrics and Gynaecology since 1990.

He has also played a pivotal role in delivering medical education across UnitingCare’s network of hospitals, serving as Head of the UnitingCare Clinical School from 2012 to 2022. He continues to mentor students as the Clinical School’s Chief Academic Medical Officer, a position he has held since 2016.

“I think it’s important for everyone to know, and I emphasise this to the students who I teach, that everything is possible in life, keep focussed and determined,” Dr Allan said.

“No matter what problems might be thrown up at you, nothing is impossible.”

In addition to his clinical practice at The Wesley, Dr Allan held numerous appointments, including serving as a Medical Student and eventually Medical Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force for eight years, including three years served overseas.

He was also Chief Executive Officer of Wesley Medical Research from 2017 to 2018, following more than eight years as a Board Member. In 2019, he was appointed Patron of the organisation in recognition of his ongoing advocacy for research excellence and innovation.

For many years, he volunteered his time and expertise as Chair of the UnitingCare Human Research Ethics Committee and was a valued member of The Wesley’s Medical Advisory and Quality Assurance Committees.

Dr Allan’s exemplary service was recognised in 2019 when he received The Wesley’s Dr Jon Douglas Award, celebrating clinicians whose dedication, leadership and service have made a lasting difference to patient care. That same year, he was named a Wesley Emeritus Fellow.

“On many occasions, it was my patients and their stamina and fortitude that kept me going,” Dr Allan said.

“I’ve had an amazing career, and I’ve been so privileged.”

Congratulations, Associate Professor John Allan AM.