Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences

Dr. Barry Stillman FACP PhD

OBE

Barry had much experience of hospitalisation as a small child, which made him more aware of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. This made him particularly sensitive to anyone with a disability and helped him teach his students about the issues that patients with temporary or permanent disabilities might encounter.

Barry spent time as a young graduate and the repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg and time working at several locations in England where he met influential and inspiring physiotherapists.  Upon returning to Australia, Patricia Cosh recruited him to teach at Lincoln. He also studied physiology at the University of Melbourne to enhance his knowledge.

Barry was a dedicated and influential member of the Lincoln staff for many years. He taught physiotherapy and, for a period, occupational therapy students, while also assisting many physiotherapists and medical graduates with their theses. He was well-respected for his teaching in applied physiology and conducted important research on movement disorders, leading to the creation of ASPI, which became part of physiotherapy education.

Barry continued teaching at Lincoln until 1991, after which he taught physiotherapy and anatomy at the University of Melbourne, where he earned his PhD. He was one of the first recipients of the Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapy.

As a generous lecturer and mentor, Barry supported countless physiotherapy students and helped many graduates with their presentations. Graduates and staff from Lincoln Institute, La Trobe and Melbourne universities owe him grateful thanks for the work he did with them over nearly 50 years.

(Written by Professor Joan McMeeken)