Tony Drinan Medal Awardee 2026

Professor John Hutson AO (Class of 1966) is a globally respected leader in paediatric surgery and urology, whose distinguished career has spanned over five decades.

He currently serves as the Chair of Paediatric Surgery at The University of Melbourne and is a Consultant Paediatric Urologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne.

Across his remarkable career, Professor Hutson has made an enduring contribution to the field of paediatric urology. He has authored more than 500+ peer-reviewed papers, written over 120 book chapters, and edited 20 academic texts, influencing generations of clinicians and researchers worldwide.

His contributions to medicine have been widely recognised. In 2007, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his outstanding service to paediatric medicine. Among numerous prestigious honours, he has received the Coe Medal (2007), the Sir Dennis Brown Medal (2008), and the RCH Chairman’s Medal (2009). In 2016, he became the 32nd recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics Medal in Urology—an international distinction awarded annually for exceptional contributions to the field. He is one of only two Australians to have received this honour.

Beyond his clinical and academic achievements, Professor Hutson has played a pivotal role in shaping collaboration within the medical community. He was instrumental in establishing joint consultant appointments between Monash Medical Centre Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital—bridging two institutions that had historically operated in competition. These appointments marked the first collaboration of their kind in over 30 years.

Professor Hutson has also been a pioneer in research and education. The laboratory he established was, for several years, the only facility of its kind in Australia, driving innovation in paediatric urology. In 2006, he founded the Urology Department at the RCH, further cementing his legacy of leadership. A passionate mentor, he has supervised more than 100 higher-degree students; among them, his first doctoral student, Spencer Beasley, has gone on to serve as Vice President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Outside of medicine, John is equally committed to community and family. He has dedicated over 20 years as a Scout group leader and is known for his warmth, generosity, and sense of mentorship.

In 2026, Professor Hutson is a highly fitting recipient of the Tony Drinan Medal, presented at the annual Friends of Frogmore luncheon. This recognition is made all the more meaningful as he celebrates his 60-year reunion as part of the Mentone Grammar Class of 1966.

Professor John Hutson’s lifelong commitment to excellence, innovation, and community continues to inspire both the medical profession and the broader community.