Patricia Kailis

Background

Patricia Kailis was born Patricia Verne Hurse in Castlemaine, Victoria.

Career

In 1958 she moved to Perth to work at Royal Perth, Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial hospitals. Here, Kailis became the local general practitioner. The couple also established themselves in ship building, the prawning industry in Exmouth, and the pearling industry in Broome.

Between 1970 and 1995 Kailis held honorary positions in neurology and genetics at Royal Perth Hospital.

During this time, Kailis introduced a program for predictive testing of Huntington"s disease and was involved in research into motor neuron disease and muscular dystrophy. In 1978, Kailis successfully contained the spread of disease in the family"s pearl farms by insisting on hygienic practices in the processing of the oysters.

Achievements

• In 1979, Kailis was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her contributions in the fields of carrier detection and the detection of inherited diseases. In 1996 she was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to medicine as a genetic counsellor for neurological and neuromuscular disorders to the Human Genetics Societies of Washington, the Royal Perth Hospital and to Rocky Bay Incorporated for over 20 years. That same year, Kailis became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. In 2001, the Australian Government awarded Kailis the Centenary Medal for service to medicine and the community. In 2010, Rocky Bay Incorporated opened the Patricia Kailis Centre in Cockburn Central. The Centre is dedicated to Kailis for her support of Rocky Bay over four decades. lieutenant provides therapy and support for families living with disabilities.