Professor Balakrishnan (Kichu) Nair AM is a world-renowned leader in Geriatric Medicine and Medical Education. He is Emeritus Professor at the University of Newcastle and Director of the Centre for Medical Professional Development at Hunter New England Local Health District. He is serving as the Clinical Dean and Professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) as of January 2026. He continues to shape the future of clinical practice and health professional training. He is the Director of Educational Research and Editor in Chief of the Health Education and Training Institute of NSW.
Clinical Excellence and Geriatrics
Professor Nair’s clinical legacy is deeply embedded in Newcastle, Australia, where he has served as a Senior Staff Specialist in Geriatric Medicine at John Hunter Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital. His expertise in ageing is reflected in his leadership of the Australian Community of Practice in Research in Dementia (ACcORD) and his former role as the Foundation Chair of Hunter Ageing Research. His clinical work is underpinned by a commitment to evidence-based medicine, particularly in the management of dementia, delirium, and the unique healthcare needs of the ageing population.
Global Leadership in Medical Education
Professor Nair is perhaps most recognised for his transformative impact on how doctors are trained and assessed. He has been a pivotal figure at the University of Newcastle, serving as Emeritus Professor, previous Associate Dean, and Discipline Head of Medicine.
A major achievement in his career was the development of the Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) Program for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in collaboration with the Australian Medical Council. This initiative fundamentally changed the assessment landscape for internationally trained doctors working in Australia, moving toward a more holistic, performance-based evaluation in the clinical environment. He remains a Senior Examiner and Board Member for the Australian Medical Council.
He founded the Academy of Clinical Educators in Newcastle with over 500 clinical teachers, where on completion, provides a teaching certificate for clinicians.
Academic Contributions and Research
A incredibly prolific scholar, Professor Nair has authored and edited several influential textbooks, including Geriatric Medicine: A Problem-Based Approach (2018)
and Problem Based Physical Examination (2010) . His research portfolio includes over 160 journal publications and a history of securing multi-million-dollar grants, such as a $3.3 million NHMRC project to improve dementia care. He also holds several editorial leadership roles, including Editor in Chief for the Journal of Health Education in Practice.
He is editing a series on text books in Geriatrics for Springer Nature; the first 2 volumes are published.
Distinguished Honours
In recognition of his “”services to medical education and geriatrics,”” he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009.
His other notable accolades include:
• Doctor of Medicine (Honoris Causa) from the University of Newcastle (2012) .
• The John Sands Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2010) .
• Best Reviewer Award (2020) from The Asia Pacific Scholar .
Professor Nair is a Fellow of numerous prestigious institutions, including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal Colleges of Physicians in Edinburgh, Ireland, and Glasgow
He is a Fellow of the Association of Medical Education in Europe, Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Health Professional Education, Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine among many others.
His career remains a testament to the power of integrating high-level clinical care with innovative educational reform.
