Dr Neil Westphalen
MBBS (Adel) MPH DipAvMed FRACGP FACAsM FAFOEM (RACP) psc
Commander, Royal Australian Navy
Dr Neil Westphalen graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1985 and joined the RAN in 1987. His postgraduate qualifications include Fellowships of the RACGP, AFOEM and ACAsM, an MPH from Curtin University, and a Dip AvMed via King’s College London. He is also a RAN Staff College graduate.
Commander Westphalen’s seagoing service included Swan, Stalwart, Success, Sydney, Perth, Manoora and Choules, during which he undertook DAMASK VII, RIMPAC 1996, TANAGER, RELEX II, GEMSBOK, TALISMAN SABRE 2007 and RENDERSAFE 2014. His clinical roles ashore included Cerberus and Penguin, thence Kuttabul, Albatross, Stirling and the Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit—West as Senior Medical Officer. Staff positions included Director Health at what became Joint Operations Command, Director Navy Occupational and Environmental Health, Director of Navy Health, Staff Officer 1 Medical Employment Classification Advisory and Review Services, and Fleet Medical Officer. On transferring to the RAN Reserve in 2016, Commander Westphalen undertook staff roles for Exercise KAKADU 16, the Director-General Navy Safety and Environment Policy Coordination, and the Navy Personnel Career Management Agency.
Neil has been an AMMA member since 1991, was treasurer from 2008 to 2010, and regularly contributes to the Journal of Military and Veteran’s Health. He was a member of the AFOEM Policy and Advocacy Committee from 2016 to 2020 and again since 2022. In June 2025 examiners recommended UNSW Canberra accept his history PhD thesis, entitled ‘Constant Care: health support for Australian naval operations 1901-1976’.
Neil is widowed, with three children and his first grandchild.
The Graeme Shirtley oration is presented in appreciation of RANR Graeme Shirtley who served as the Surgeon General Australian Defence Force (SGADF) for just over three years. During that time, he was Patron of the Australian Military Medicine Association and provided great support for its development, aims and objectives.
RANR Graeme Shirtley passed in 2012. As a mark of AMMA’s appreciation to the late Graeme Shirtley’s support to AMMA over the years, there is a Graeme Shirtley Oration in each AMMA Conference.
