Dr Matthew O’Sullivan AM is a leading figure in the field of infectious diseases in Australia. As the Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Director of the NSW Biocontainment Centre, and Supervising Pathologist at Westmead Hospital, he played a pivotal role in the country's early response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His early involvement and expertise made him an ideal candidate for AUSMAT’s deployment to Christmas Island, where the team established a quarantine facility to ensure the safe return of evacuees from Wuhan, China, in February 2020. His extensive contributions have earned him recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day this year, honouring his services in medicine and in the field of infectious diseases.
Dr O’Sullivan's interest in infectious diseases and tropical medicine began at an early age, leading him to complete a university elective in Kenya and work in The Gambia as a junior doctor, treating patients with malaria and tuberculosis. He reflects, “It was a really rewarding experience for me, to have the opportunity to work in resource-poor settings. I had to rely more on my clinical judgement rather than diagnostic testing, which really honed my skills,” These formative experiences shaped his career path, propelling him to dedicate himself to research, clinical practice, and medical education in infectious diseases.
After returning to Australia, Dr O’Sullivan furthered his education, specialising in microbiology. Initially inclined to pursue a PhD in a tropical setting, he was offered a fellowship at Westmead Hospital, which persuaded him to stay in Sydney. Despite his base at Westmead, Dr O’Sullivan continued to pursue opportunities that aligned with his interest in managing complex health issues. In 2014, during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Dr O’Sullivan volunteered as a Senior Medical Officer in Sierra Leone. He recalls, “Leading the treatment facility in Kerrytown, West Africa my role was to oversee the care of healthcare workers with suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola - a disease I had previously only encountered in textbooks.”
As Director of the NSW Biocontainment Centre, Dr O’Sullivan was heavily involved in developing Australia’s first purpose-built biocontainment centre at Westmead Hospital. The state-referral centre is designed for the containment and clinical management of patients suspected of, and confirmed with, a high consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) such as Ebola or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). “While we were building this new centre as part of the hospital redevelopment, our disaster manager saw the parallels between our work and AUSMAT’s preparedness for disease outbreaks and suggested I join AUSMAT.” He completed the AUSMAT Team Member Course in 2018.
Following his early involvement with COVID-19, or novel coronavirus as it was known then, Dr O'Sullivan was selected to be part of the AUSMAT responsible for setting up and operating a quarantine facility on Christmas Island for evacuees from Wuhan. Reflecting on the initial challenges, he said, “There were many unknowns about the virus and fears of it having a high mortality rate. Transforming a detention centre into a quarantine facility presented a unique set of challenges."
One of our main concerns was how to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 should an evacuee test positive. We were preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, and were incredibly fortunate not to have any cases, which was a relief for everyone involved.
The AUSMAT team’s role on Christmas Island extended beyond healthcare and logistical management to ensuring the emotional and physical well-being of both the evacuees and staff. "The evacuees were remarkably grateful. Maintaining high spirits was crucial under such stressful conditions." The sense of community and morale was further boosted by organising special events to celebrate cultural occasions. “The team got creative in our celebrations and hung lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year and created dress-ups to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We even managed to hold a concert in the big oval at the centre where all staff and evacuees maintained social distancing while enjoying the music." Such gatherings were not only a respite from the daily routine but also a celebration of resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity.
In addition to his deployment to Christmas Island, Dr O’Sullivan was also deployed with AUSMAT to Fiji during a lull in Sydney’s COVID-19 cases, when the virus started to overwhelm Fiji’s health system in 2021. AUSMAT worked closely alongside our Fijian colleagues supporting them with medical assistance, managing patient flows and infection control in makeshift facilities. “The resilience and good humour of the Fijian health workers, despite the severe impact on their colleagues, families and community, was truly inspirational.”
Dr O'Sullivan’s diverse background in infectious diseases, combined with his experience in resource-poor settings and high-stakes environments, has equipped him with a unique skill set essential for responding to health emergencies. His work with AUSMAT highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teams in effectively responding to health disasters and emergencies. As he is honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre congratulates Dr O’Sullivan on this well-deserved recognition.
Carla Yeung
Communications and Digital Engagement Officer
