Vale – Professor Christopher Paul Gilfillan MBBS FRACP PhD
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Professor Christopher Paul Gilfillan. Credit: Eastern Health.
The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University and Eastern Health mourn the loss of Professor Christopher Paul (Chris) Gilfillan, who died on the night of 7 October 2025. Chris was an exceptional clinician, an inspiring leader, and a generous mentor whose influence will be deeply felt across our community for many years to come.
Professor Gilfillan served as Director of Endocrinology at Eastern Health since 2008, Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at Monash University’s Eastern Health Clinical School, and Director of Endocrine Research for the Eastern Clinical Research Unit (ECRU). He also maintained a respected private practice in Box Hill and Frankston. Under his leadership, Eastern Health’s endocrine services grew from a single clinic to a network of 18 specialist programs across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, providing high-quality, community-based care for thousands of patients.
Chris’s clinical interests were broad, ranging across type 2 and gestational diabetes, thyroid cancer, osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, and others. He served as Principal Investigator on numerous national and international clinical trials. He was deeply committed to translating research into therapies that change lives. In his role as Clinical Director of Endocrinology, he led Eastern Health’s Clinical Research Unit in running 11 active diabetes trials in 2024, including studies of next-generation incretin therapies. In some patients these therapies achieved dramatic results—weight loss, cessation of other diabetes medications—and held promise of reversing the diabetic phenotype. His contributions earned him many honours, including the Centenary Medal for services to diabetes care on the Mornington Peninsula.
Prof Gilfillan was chair of the metabolic theme of Monash Partners academic health sciences centre and served on the advisory board of the Victoria Cancer Biobank. He also participated in committees of Safer Care Victoria. He has participated in review of manuscripts contributed to international journals including Thyroid and Endocrinology.
A dedicated academic and educator, Chris was an Adjunct Clinical Professor at both Monash and Deakin Universities, where he played an integral role in teaching medical students, physician trainees, and PhD candidates. His mentorship was deeply valued. Chris dedicated countless hours to guiding students, supporting early-career researchers, and nurturing the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
Chris led with humility, kindness, and quiet strength. His colleagues and team describe him as kind, caring, and passionate about his patients. His calm wisdom, wit, and warmth inspired those around him, and his compassion shaped a culture of respect, excellence, and empathy throughout his department.
We will remember Professor Gilfillan for his brilliance, his humanity, and his unwavering dedication to his patients, students, and colleagues. He will be missed profoundly, and his legacy will continue to enrich our community.