It is with deep sadness and regret that the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has learnt of the passing of Professor John Turtle AO, an Honorary President of IDF and former Board Member.
Prof. Turtle dedicated over 50 years of his life to clinical endocrinology and diabetes, both in his home country Australia and internationally. Following postgraduate training in the USA and Great Britain, he was appointed as Head of Endocrinology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sidney and subsequently held positions at the University of Sidney, where he became Emeritus Professor in 2002. In 1991, he was appointed Officer in the Order of Australia and was later recognised as Officer in the Order of Fiji for his work in the field of diabetes internationally. Prof. Turtle was also a co-founder of the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ADS in 2019.
A long-serving contributor to IDF activities, Prof. Turtle notably served as Vice President (1991-1997) and Chair of the Programme Committee for the IDF World Diabetes Congress 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa. He was appointed an Honorary President of IDF in 2000.
IDF extends its most heartfelt condolences to Prof. Turtle’s family and friends at this time of sadness.
