RNSH’s Head of Clinical Pharmacology Professor Sarah Hilmer has been elected a fellow of the prestigious Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professor Hilmer is part of a select group of researchers who have been admitted to the academy, which works to advance health and medical research across Australia. She has joined the highly-respected organisation in recognition of her important contribution to healthcare and research.

Sarah has welcomed the election, saying it was not expected.

‘I was surprised and honoured to be elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences,” she said. 

“Mentorship for health and medical researchers is a priority for me in my roles at RNSH, the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute, as well as through the Sydney Health Partners Geriatric Medicine Clinical Academic Group.”

Sarah has worked as the Head of Clinical Pharmacology and as a geriatrician at RNSH since 2005. Her research and clinical expertise is respected both nationally and internationally. 

Sarah leads a research program in ageing and pharmacology at the Kolling and has contributed widely to the management of medication. Her research focuses on understanding and optimising medication use and improving outcomes in older people, particularly those living with multiple conditions. 

Sarah has developed the Drug Burden Index, a tool to measure the overall risk of a person’s medicines to their physical and cognitive function. This tool is being used widely across the Northern Sydney and Central Coast local health districts.

Sarah said she has been tremendously fortunate to have worked across clinical practice, research and policy, and to have worked with a wonderful network of mentors, colleagues and mentees.