Kim Oates

Professor Kim Oates AO is an Emeritus Professor of Child and Adolescent Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He completed his medical degree (MBBS) at the University of Sydney in 1967 and earned two research doctorates, MD and DSc, from the same institution in recognition of his contributions to paediatrics and child health research. Oates began his career as a practising paediatrician before taking on significant academic and administrative roles. In 1985, he was appointed the Foundation Douglas Burrows Chair of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney, a position he held concurrently with leadership responsibilities at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. From 1997 to 2006, he served as Chief Executive of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, overseeing operations during a critical period of development and service delivery. Upon returning to the University, he focused on medical education, developing courses to teach patient safety and strategies for reducing medical errors, which he delivered across four medical schools.

Professor Oates' academic interests center on paediatrics, child protection, prevention of child abuse, developmental outcomes in abused children, and improvements in healthcare safety and quality. He has authored key publications including the books The Spectrum of Child Abuse: Assessment, Treatment and Prevention (1996, Brunner-Mazel), Classic Papers in Child Abuse (2000, edited with A. Cohn Donnelly, Sage Publications), and 20 Tips for Parents (2014, Finch Publications). Notable papers include 'Fatal injuries in Australian children' (2024, Acta Paediatrica), 'Can we believe what children tell us?' (2007, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health), 'Sexually Abused Children 5 Years After Presentation' (1997, Pediatrics), and 'The development of abused children' (1984, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology). His work has had substantial impact, evidenced by awards such as Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2020 for service to paediatrics and child health through public health, clinical governance, and child protection; the Nathalie Masse International Prize for Research into Childhood; the Howard Williams Medal for outstanding contributions to paediatrics and child health in Australasia; and the University of Sydney Alumni Award for Achievement in Community Service. Oates has also held influential committee roles, including Chair of the NSW Child Death Review Team, and served as clinical advisor to the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission.

Professional Email: kim.oates@sydney.edu.au