Professor Tissa Wijeratne
OAM MBBS MD PhD FRACP FRCP FAAN FAHA FEAN
Neurologist | Educator |Researcher| Advocate


Professor Tissa Wijeratne is a distinguished Senior Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Director of Academic Medicine, and Head of the Department of Neurology and Stroke at Western Health, Victoria, Australia. His contributions to the field of neurology are unparalleled, with a remarkable 367 publications, a citation index exceeding 150,000, and an h-index of 80. Tissa's groundbreaking work has been recognized with numerous accolades, including 14 international awards for his contributions to academic neurology.

Tissa's dedication to neurology and brain health extends beyond academia. He is a co-founder of World Brain Day, and his tireless efforts have made brain health a household name globally, with 11 successful World Brain Day campaigns conducted in collaboration with the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) since 2014. His leadership and influence in the global neurology community are further highlighted by his roles as Chair of the International Working Group for Young Neurologists and Trainees (2008–2016), Chair of the Special Interest Group for Headaches and Migraines with the World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation, the Chair of the Global Policy and Advocacy Committee with the WFN (2018–present).

In 2018, Tissa became the first Australian neurologist to be elected to the International Committee of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). His contributions were recognized early in his career when he was awarded the prestigious Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Award in 2008. He further cemented his legacy in 2017 by receiving the Ted Munsat Award from the WFN for his global leadership in neurological education.

Tissa's excellence has been acknowledged in Australia as well. He was honored with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2023 for his outstanding services to neurology. He is also the recipient of the inaugural Priscilla Kincaid-Smith Award from the Australian Medical Association in 2019 for his exceptional contributions as an academic neurologist, mentor, and advocate. His dedication to stroke care earned him a finalist position for the National Stroke Foundation's Stroke Champion Award in 2019, and he was a finalist for the A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award from the AAN in 2020.

In addition to his academic and clinical achievements, Tissa established a state-of-the-art neurology service at Western Health, which has pioneered headache care in Australia since 2006. He is also the mastermind behind the Australian and New Zealand Headache Society, founded in 2014, and the James Lance-Peter Goadsby Annual Migraine Oration and Symposium, established in 2018.

With over 100 invited presentations and a full-time clinical commitment, Tissa continues to lead the fastest-growing stroke and headache service in Australia, making significant strides in the field of neurology both nationally and internationally.

ORCID ID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1701-7111

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