Pictured: Tom Ryan (far right) with GMRF’s Patron Dame Quentin Bryce and Former Chairman Liam Kelly QC
9 February 2021
GMRF Board Director and former Chairman Mr Tom Ryan received the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contributions to medical research and rugby union.
Tom was recognised with the Australia Day honours for a long-standing commitment to innovative medical research for the benefit of our veterans and the wider Australian community. Tom has been an important part of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) since day one, an integral member of the Board of Directors since the foundation launched in 2005.
“The whole GMRF team congratulates Tom on this honour. We are so pleased that he is being recognised in this way, it is certainly very well deserved,” GMRF CEO Miriam Dwyer says.
“Tom’s always supported the Foundation in a very practical, hands-on way. He never misses a meeting, he’s available to represent GMRF at official occasions, and he’s always there to give sound and considered advice. Moreover, he’s a dear friend. The team love his visits to the foundation and his passion for the work we do.” Miriam says.
A pharmacist by profession, Tom has seen firsthand advances in treatments, and he knows the long journey of medical discovery that goes into getting new medication to the pharmacy shelf. Tom was a founding partner, Director and Chairman of the Australian Pharmaceutical Healthcare Systems Group. He also owned and operated the pharmacy service at Greenslopes Private Hospital (GPH) from 1995 until 2010.
“Having someone like Tom, with his professional experience and passion, has been a huge asset for GMRF,” Miriam says. “He is helping guide the foundation’s direction and in doing so is making a lasting contribution to a future where we can better predict, treat, and prevent serious illnesses like liver cancer,”
Tom’s OAM was also in recognition of his over 22-year involvement in the rugby union community. Through the Queensland Rugby Referee Association (QRRA), Tom refereed 522 and served as referee coach and referee liaison officer for over 10 years.
Former GMRF Chairman, Liam Kelly QC, Miriam Dwyer and the whole GMRF Team would like to sincerely congratulate Tom on the prestigious and well-deserved honour. Thank you Tom for your fifteen years of service to GMRF and your unwavering belief in the life-changing power of medical research!
