Kerry Goulston

Professor Kerry Goulston AO is an Emeritus Professor in the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney. A leading gastroenterologist, he established the first gastroenterology unit in Canberra and subsequently at Concord Hospital, earning acclaim as “the specialist politicians want to see” for his superb clinical skills, no-nonsense approach, and utter integrity. He held prominent leadership roles in the field, including President of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, Vice-President of the World Congress of Gastroenterology, and inaugural Chair of the Australian Gastroenterology Institute. Within the University of Sydney, Goulston served as Associate Dean of the Northern Clinical School, where he broadened student horizons through seminars on the wider aspects of medicine. He chaired the NSW Medical Postgraduate Council and was inaugural Chair of the Confederation of Medical Postgraduate Councils of Australia and New Zealand. In 2006, he co-led an extensive review of the Sydney University Medical Program, with over 90% of recommendations unanimously adopted; he also co-reviewed admission policies for Medicine and Dentistry, the medical content of the Dental program, and Masters coursework degrees in the School of Medicine.

In health system reform, Goulston was selected by the NSW Minister for Health in 2000 to lead the Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce, which established health networks across metropolitan areas, improved communication among clinicians, administrators, government, and patients, and ensured equitable distribution of services—now regarded as a model for stakeholder engagement to enhance health outcomes. He established the Health Reform Group, comprising medical, nursing, allied health clinicians, and consumers, which regularly engages senior bureaucrats and political leaders to advance health services. For nearly 20 years, he has dedicated efforts to medical education in Vietnam, co-founding the Hoc Mai Foundation (“forever learning”) to facilitate exchanges of medical students and young doctors between Australia and Vietnam, fostering knowledge exchange and ongoing relationships. He co-initiated the annual Advanced Course in Medical Education and Research in Hanoi—initially privately funded, now supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—and led volunteer teams teaching medical English in Hanoi. These contributions earned him the Medal for Vietnamese Peoples Health and Honorary Professor status at Hanoi Medical University. His accolades include the Order of Australia (AO) for services to gastroenterology, veterans, colorectal cancer, and clinical teaching; Geoffrey Marel Memorial Medal (1999); Distinguished Service Medal from the Gastroenterological Society of Australia; and Honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of Sydney (2016).

Professional Email: kerry.goulston@sydney.edu.au