James Morton AM is an Australian medical doctor and advocate for children with autism spectrum disorders. Morton is a specialist haematologist and oncologist at Brisbane's Mater Hospital and a senior specialist with the Leukaemia & Bone Marrow Transplant Service at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. [1]
Dr James Morton was born in Brisbane, Queensland. [1]
Morton graduated with a MB BS from the University of Queensland in 1987 with a university medal and completed his general medical training in 1991. [1]
In 1996, Morton travelled to the United States where he was an international fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, before returning to Australian in 1998. [1]
Morton was previously board member of Icon Cancer Care and the Leukaemia Foundation, where he was credited with developing the World's Greatest Shave initiative into an annual national campaign from a one-off event in Lismore, New South Wales. [2]
Morton is arguably best known for his advocacy of children with autism. [3] [4]
Following a report commissioned by Morton, Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced that $190 million of additional funding would be delivered to support services for autistic children. [5] [6] The funding announcement was welcomed by Morton who described it as a "monumental package".
Morton was named in the 2015 Australia Day Honours and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition for his significant service to children with autism spectrum disorders and to the field of oncology. [7] [8]
On Queensland Day in 2020, Morton was named as a Queensland Great. [4] [9]