A self-described ‘84-year-young’ retired medical researcher from The University of Western Australia who volunteers his time to help patients at risk of heart disease or stroke, has been recognised internationally for his commitment to hypertension research and treatment.

Emeritus Professor Lawrie Beilin AO, from UWA’s Medical School has received the 2021 Peter Sleight Excellence Award in Hypertension Clinical Research from the World Hypertension League, which recognises significant contributions toward advancing hypertension research and treatment.

“I think people like myself never really retire from work, which is why I’m passionate about seeing patients. Being semi-retired allows me to allocate each patient one hour of time, and I hope it can make a real difference to their lives.”

Emeritus Professor Lawrie Beilin AO

“I feel honoured to have received this award, but it really reflects the activity of many other researchers from around the world whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with during the past few decades,” Professor Beilin said.

“Medical research has always fascinated me. It has given me the opportunity to work alongside some wonderful people. It is a particular pleasure to see younger researchers develop and become leaders and teachers in their own right.”

Since retiring, Emeritus Professor Beilin, who is the immediate past Chair of the Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, volunteers his time at the Royal Perth Hospital Lipid/Hypertension clinic, where he helps patients who are dealing with complex medical problems. 

“The clinic is designed to prevent people developing heart attacks and stroke as a result of unusually high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a typically unhealthy lifestyle.

“All my patients are referred by other doctors or specialists and each person is experiencing a unique problem, whether that be intolerance to medication, not responding adequately to treatment, or suffering from genetic and lifestyle disorders.

“I think people like myself never really retire from work, which is why I’m passionate about seeing patients. Being semi-retired allows me to allocate each patient one hour of time, and I hope it can make a real difference to their lives.”

As an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at UWA, Professor Beilin continues to supervise PHD students and collaborates in medical research programs locally and internationally from a base at the Royal Perth Medical Research Foundation.

In recognition of Professor Beilin’s extraordinary contribution to medical research in WA, the Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation recently named its highest Career Advancement Fellowship in his name.

When Professor Beilin isn’t seeing patients in the clinic or working with research students, he spends time with family, travelling and walking, refining skills in photography, learning the piano, singing in a choir and practising French – a hobby reinforced after recently completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in European Studies at UWA.

“A sense of curiosity and enjoyment gives me the passion to carry on with these activities. It keeps my brain challenged, allows me to be socially active and is good for marital harmony,” Professor Beilin said.