Kerryn Phelps

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Kerryn Lyndel Phelps (b. December 14, 1957, Sydney, Australia) is an Australian medical practitioner and public commentator. She is Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.^[1] She gained a national profile from regular appearances on television, radio and print media as an adviser on medical topics and as president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

[edit] Professional life

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In 2000, Phelps was elected Federal President of the AMA, becoming the first woman to head the organisation, and served the maximum term of three years. During this time, Phelps focused attentions on the medical indemnity crisis and worked with State and Federal Governments for a solution. Other implementations included establishing an advisory committee on Indigenous health, and encouraging discussion of the role of the health system in response to bioterrorism.

Phelps is particularly interested in integrative medicine, public health, and human rights issues. She travels regularly to speak with health professionals and the general public on health and well-being, as well as leadership and strategy for professional organisations. As AMA President, Prof Phelps convened an expert advisory committee and pioneered the AMA's first position statement on Complementary Medicine.

Her time as AMA president was tumultuous. She famously threatened to sue the Health Minister at the time, Michael Wooldridge, after he insulted her for not having specialist qualifications, to which she replied that general practice was a legitimate specialty. The Minister publicly apologised.

She is credited with finding a solution to the medical indemnity crisis in Australia which was threatening medical practice, particularly obstetrics and neurosurgery, because of escalating medical malpractice claims. She also raised awareness of issues such as Aboriginal health problems, the medical workforce shortage, environmental health, bioterrorism and complementary medicine.

[edit] Personal life

Phelps' younger brother is actor Peter Phelps. She is in a long-term relationship with Jackie Stricker, a former Primary School Teacher. Phelps and Stricker married in a religious ceremony in New York on January 4, 1998.^[2] Australian law does not recognize same-sex marriages. From her first marriage she has a daughter, Jaime and a son, Carl.^[3]