The Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology

Like many, Tony’s first contact with The Alfred came at a time of medical emergency. It was 1993 and his daughter, Cathy, desperately needed a life-saving heart transplant. It was the success of this surgery that ultimately saw him go on to devote more than 20 years of his life to supporting the hospital.

His love for The Alfred was persuasive and influential. Armed with an enormous array of friends, contacts and admirers, he garnered support and respect from far and wide. Where Tony led, others followed.

In recognition of his extraordinary achievements, The Alfred is proud to establish its first ever Chair of Oncology in honour of the late Tony Charlton. 

Tony would often say that “a miracle happens every day at The Alfred”. But he knew that for these moments of inspiration to take place, the hospital required the best clinical teams, together with the best facilities and medical technology.

The Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology is the embodiment of the principles of what academic health science centres’ exist to foster – the translation, acceleration and transfer of research findings into clinical practice.

Its establishment is an achievement that will aspire to make a positive difference to the health, wellbeing and quality of life for thousands of Victorians as we build towards increasingly effective treatments against many cancers.

It is with great honour that we announce the Tony Charlton Chair - Professor John Zalcberg OAM.  John is both a highly respected and credentialed researcher and gastrointestinal oncology clinician.

He currently holds the position of Head, Cancer Research Program in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.

Monash University and The Alfred have maintained a strong connection for several decades – in fact this year marks 50 years since the first graduation of students from the School of Medicine at Monash University.  In the role of the Chair of Oncology, Professor Zalcberg will unite the strengths of The Alfred and Monash University in the oncology field, and focus expertise and drive our research and clinical excellence towards a cancer-free future.

The Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology will deliver significant and lasting benefits, and lead The Alfred’s cancer care into the future.  The Chair will cultivate new and innovative cancer treatments, and accelerate the transfer of research findings into clinical practice.

The establishment of a Chair of Oncology was a project that Tony was passionate about pursuing – and he would have undoubtedly achieved it himself if not for his own battle with cancer. We are proud to realise this dream – a vision that resonated so strongly with our dear friend and colleague.