Kerryn Phelps

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Professor Kerryn Lyndel Phelps is a medical practitioner from Australia. She is Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.

She gained a national profile from regular appearances on television, radio and print media as an advisor on medical topics.

At the height of her media career, she was outed as a lesbian. She subsequently campaigned for and was elected to the presidency of the Australian Medical Association. She became the first woman to hold that position. Her time as AMA President was tumultuous. She famously threatened to sue then-Health Minister 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.

Phelps is in a long-term relationship with Jackie Stricker. Phelps and Stricker married in a religious ceremony in New York in January 1998. Australian law does not recognize same-sex marriages at this time. Phelps and Stricker are outspoken advocates for equal rights.

She is the sister of actor Peter Phelps. From her first marriage she has a daughter, Jaime and a son Carl.

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