Rate My Professor Philip Tilson

Philip Tilson is the Operations Lead for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Otago, located at the Otago Medical School in Dunedin. In this capacity, he oversees operations for the MB ChB Programme, playing a vital role in the administrative support that underpins the delivery of medical education. His contributions help maintain the smooth functioning of school activities, including programme management and student affairs.

As a long-serving professional staff member, Philip Tilson was spotlighted in a 2025 University of Otago news feature commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Otago Medical School. He was grouped with colleagues Jacqui Bradshaw, Anne-Marie Patterson, and Jillian Tourelle, who collectively hold about 75 years of experience across administrative and support roles at the school. Otago Medical School Dean Professor Suzanne Pitama described professional staff like Tilson as the "backbone of the Otago Medical School," highlighting their expertise, dedication, and leadership that ensure the smooth running of programmes, student success, and advancement of medical education and research. Tilson has characterized the OMS environment as dynamic, noting that "working with staff who are excited about teaching and research, that makes you join in their excitement." The school has undergone substantial changes during his tenure, including student numbers growing from 165 to 352 over 25 years, integration of learning platforms like Blackboard and Moodle, increased tutorials and labs, and expansion of community and rural training to address medical workforce needs and promote primary care.