معرفی
Dinesh Palipana OAM is a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University's Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology and an emergency department physician at Gold Coast University Hospital. He is Queensland's first quadriplegic medical intern and Australia's second doctor with quadriplegia, having overcome a spinal cord injury sustained during medical school. Palipana holds dual qualifications as a medical doctor (Griffith University) and lawyer (Queensland University of Technology), and serves as co-leader of the BioSpine research team focused on spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
His research interests span spinal cord injury, rehabilitation engineering, emergency medicine, and disability inclusion in healthcare. Palipana has received numerous prestigious awards including the Medal of the Order of Australia (2019), Henry Viscardi Achievement Award (2019), and Queensland Australian of the Year (2021). His academic appointments include Senior Lecturer at Griffith University (2021-present), Lecturer in the School of Medicine (2018-present), and Adjunct Research Fellow at the Menzies Health Institute of Queensland (2019-2024).
Palipana's publication record shows a strong focus on spinal cord injury rehabilitation, emergency medicine, and disability inclusion, with recent work exploring digital twin technology, patient dignity in rehabilitation, and pandemic impacts on emergency department presentations. His research consistently addresses the intersection of technology, healthcare access, and patient-centered care for people with disabilities.
- Medal of the Order of Australia (2019)
- Henry Viscardi Achievement Award (2019)
- Queensland Australian of the Year (2021)
- Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year (2021)
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's Junior Doctor of the Year (2018)
- John Monash Scholar
Palipana serves as a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission, is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia, and published his autobiography 'Stronger' in 2022. He also holds significant non-academic roles including Non-Executive Director of George Steuart & Co and Advisory Board Member for Woolworths Group's HealthyLife initiative. His work exemplifies the integration of clinical practice, academic research, and advocacy to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes for people with disabilities.
