By Tate Papworth
A Sydenham psychiatrist has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
Dr Samir Nicolas Ibrahim has been awarded a Medal of the Order (OAM) for his service to psychiatry and to the community.
Dr Ibrahim has been a psychiatrist for 39 years and has practices in Sydenham and Bundoora.
He is an international member of the American Psychiatric Association, and secretary of the family research and interventions section of the World Psychiatric Association.
A fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists since 1997, Dr Ibrahim has served as a Victorian representative on the Family Violence Psychiatry Network Committee since 2014.
Dr Ibrahim, who arrived in Australia from Egypt 25 years ago, said he loved helping people with mental health problems find their voice.
“People with mental illnesses … they are not well appreciated in society,” he said.
“I love working with black horses. It’s my hobby, not my profession.”
He is a member the Coptic Christian community and a current lecturer at
St Athanasius College.
Dr Ibrahim was elected president of the Australian Egyptian Federation in 2017.
“It was an honour to be elected because I was elected by the Muslims before the Christians,” he said.
“It shows us not to look at religion – we are all human beings.”
Laura Michell
