Dinesh Palipana is an Australian doctor, lawyer, scientist, author, and disability advocate. He was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland and the second person in Australia with quadriplegia to graduate from medical school.
Dinesh works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital and is a senior lecturer at Griffith University and a researcher at the Menzies Health Institute of Queensland and the Jamieson Trauma Institute. He is also a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team and a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission.
Dinesh is also on the advisory board of
healthylife where he provides expert health information and advocates for the health of Australians.
Dinesh founded Doctors with Disabilities Australia and has been recognised for his contributions with numerous awards, including the Medal of the Order of Australia. Despite facing significant challenges, Dinesh is an inspiring figure who has made significant contributions to the medical community and the field of disability advocacy.
Dinesh is the 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year and a passionate advocate for inclusion.
Dinesh's autobiography
Stronger was released by Pan MacMillan in 2022.
