About

Clinical associate Professor Patrick Mahar is a specialist adult and paediatric dermatologist, who holds degrees and experience in medicine, business and law.

He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Legal Medicine, a Fellow of the the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. In 2014, he was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia, in part for contributions to patient safety.

In addition to the above, he holds a Bachelor of Law from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University, a Master of Dermatology from the Australasian College of Dermatologists and a Master of Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School. He is a non-practising lawyer admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria.

As well as private practice, A/Prof Mahar holds clinical appointments at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne where he works with the general dermatology and laser team, as well as consulting with the paediatric Burns Unit in complex scar management.

He is the current Medical Director of the Skin Health Institute which employs over 80 sessional dermatologists within Victoria. He clinically specialises in adult and paediatric dermatology with a focus on advanced targeted treatments of severe inflammatory skin diseases, scar treatment, severe cutaneous drug reactions, skin cancer treatment and contact dermatitis.

A/Prof Mahar is an active researcher and medicolegal commentator. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in the medical literature around clinical and medicolegal topics including journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Medical Journal of Australia. A/Prof Mahar holds both a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Medical Science respectively evaluating clinical outcomes in burn and burn-related dermatological conditions, as well as evaluating professional standards in the medical profession in Victoria, with a particular focus on medical negligence.

He holds a teaching, research and leadership role as a Clinical Associate Professor with the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry at the University of Melbourne. A/Prof Mahar has held senior and Directorial positions in pharmaceutical companies, non-for-profit health care groups, including skin and burns care, medicolegal consulting and medical indemnity. A/Prof Mahar has experience as an expert witness and has consulted on coronial inquests, independent medical examinations as well as medical negligence claims for insurers.

A/Prof Mahar is available for new and review patients on Thursday mornings.

Public Hospital Clinics

The Royal Children’s Hospital – Parkville

Skin Health Institute – Carlton