Dr Ramananda Kamath OAM

The Order of Australia recognises individuals who lead the way in their chosen field, and that couldn’t be more true for Dr Ramanada Kamath OAM.  

Dr Kamath was the first paediatric gastroenterologist in Australia in 1973, after a deficiency of services being provided to children was recognised in the medical field.  

For his work, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to paediatric gastroenterology. 

“Families were suffering some of the common as well as some very rare and previously unrecognised gastrointestinal diseases, and I was fortunate to be appointed as the first paediatric gastroenterologist in this country,” he says.  

“Not only that, but the hospital also sent me a written order so I could provide services covering the entire gastrointestinal tract – prior to my appointment, there were many physicians who covered bits and pieces.” 

Dr Kamath was appointed the head of the new department of gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where he remained the sole worker for a decade. Here, he was also a staff specialist, and honorary emeritus consultant medical officer for a time.  

He is also life member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and was former president of the Australian Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. He has authored and co-authored over 80 scientific papers.  

Recognition is deeply important to him for a number of reasons, Dr Kamath says. 

“It means that there is an official recognition that I have contributed something. Secondly, my work, day and night, has been rewarded,” he says.  

“Third, it is recognition to tell other people, ‘Hey look, you may be a migrant, but you can contribute to this country’. I see my grandchildren and they say, ‘Grandpa, this is great! This is good for you, as a migrant’. 

“Without any hesitation, I would recommend other people to nominate individuals who deserve recognition for this award.”