Prof Hugh Bartholomeusz OAM, RFD, MBBS, FRACS 

Plastic Surgeon

Dr/Prof Hugh Bartholomeusz, OAM, RFD, MBBS, FRACS (Class of 1970) is an internationally renowned military physician and plastic surgeon. Throughout his career, Professor Bartholomeusz has established himself as a leading figure in medical and military fields, having accomplished a myriad of achievements. He is currently a professor and dean for the Oceania University of Medicine, the past president of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), chair of the Australian Day Surgery Council and a retired Air Force Air vice-marshal.

Professor Bartholomeusz earned his medical degree from the University of Queensland, where he also later became an associate professor. After achieving fellowship in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1984, he operated a plastic surgery practice in Brisbane and the West Moreton Region from 1985 to June 2020, when he retired from his role as the Senior Plastic Surgeon at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.

One of his career highlights was being able to represent Australia Internationally in the International Day Surgery Association and the International Air Cadet Exchange Association, in which he was later appointed as the World President of the organisation.

Professor Bartholomeusz states that there is "no greater honour than representing your country on an international level with the pride of Australia, Queensland and Brisbane State High School."

During his time at Brisbane State High School, Professor Bartholomeusz was a very proud member of the State High community. He was widely involved in many areas of the school, having played in the First XI for Cricket, competed in tennis and debating, and played a lead role alongside State High alumni Jackie French in the School Production of Orpheus in the Underworld. Most notably, Professor Bartholomeusz was able to enter cadets through the cadets' pathway at BSHS, which helped develop his values of leadership, self-reliance and organisation.

Through his schooling experiences, Professor Bartholomeusz was given the means to foster one of his core values of giving back to the community, which guided him through his altruistic and impactful career.

Professor Bartholomeusz gives the advice to current and emerging students of Brisbane State High School to "take advantage of every opportunity and turn that opportunity into success" and to persist even in times of failure, as "a positive approach to life is the key to success".

Written by Max Hepperlin*

*NB: This alumni profile was crafted by a State High student as part of the school's student/alumni interview project during the 2021 Centenary celebration.