John Henry STEELE-SMITH

John Henry Eliezer Steele-Smith was born in 1929, to William Everard Steele-Smith (1886-1 Aug 1975, Wentworth Falls, NSW), dental supplier, and his wife Annie nee Magill, one of the five daughters of Annie Magill (d. 1945, Croydon). John had one sister, Hilda, who married George Ikin: they lived in Strathfield, not far from William and Annie (at 148 Homebush Rd., Strathfield; in 1945 they were living in Croydon).

John attended Fort Street Boys High School before pursuing medical studies at the University of Sydney. During his time at university, he became actively involved with the Christian Fellowship group, which played a significant role in shaping his lifelong commitment to integrating faith with his medical practice. In the 1950s, they were involved in helping build the Crusaders (later CRU) site in Galston, and would retain longstanding involvement with the organization, hosting events at their property at Yarramundi. After graduating in 1952 (MB, BS), Dr. Steele-Smith served as a Resident Medical Officer at Sydney Hospital and later at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, where he developed a keen interest in dermatology.

In 1960, Dr. Steele-Smith earned his Diploma of Dermatological Medicine (DDM) from the University of Sydney Medical School. He then commenced his practice in dermatology with clinics in Sydney's Central Business District (CBD) and Burwood, later expanding to Auburn, Liverpool, Campbelltown, and Beecroft. He had consultant positions at Sydney Hospital, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, North Ryde Psychiatric Hospital and Auburn Hospital. His career spanned nearly four decades until his retirement in 1998.

A pioneer in his field, Dr. Steele-Smith was an active member of the Dermatology Association of Australia (DAA), the precursor to the Australasian College of Dermatologists, of which in 1967 he also became a founding member. His medical expertise was widely recognized and appreciated by both general practitioners and specialists. He was known for his ability to diagnose complex conditions, often seeing the skin as a window to internal pathology. In one notable case, he correctly identified pruritus caused by Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient who had been misdiagnosed with scabies, leading to a life-saving treatment. In 2005 he ‘strongly opposed’ the deregulation of sunscreens with an SPF of no more than 20, due to the implicit therapeutic promise in the SPF rating system. ‘The mention of the SPF is considered in itself to be an indicator of the efficacy of the product in the protection from sunburn and skin cancer). 

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Steele-Smith was a dedicated family man, deeply involved in the lives of his four children—Janet, David, Susan, and Andrew—and their families. He shared his life and work with his wife, Alice (nee Rosler), who was also a dermatologist (Sydney 1954, MB, BS; 1970 DDM). Together, they were stalwarts of the Epping Baptist Church, where they nurtured a strong Christian faith within their family, with their children and grandchildren all actively serving the Lord in various capacities.

Dr. Steele-Smith was for a long time treasurer and a valued member of the New South Wales State Branch of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia (CMDFA). His contributions to the CMDFA were marked by his bright and warm personality, which endeared him to all who knew him. His commitment to the fellowship reflected his belief in the importance of integrating faith and medicine, a principle he lived out throughout his career. He was also involved in many other Christian endeavours, including his financial support of the Centre for the Study of Australian Christianity (1991-1999). 

In addition to his medical and spiritual pursuits, Dr. Steele-Smith had a passion for farming and was an active member of his local Probus group, enjoying the company of many friends.

Steele-Smith's life was a harmonious blend of professional excellence, deep faith, and genuine compassion. He passed away on 23 March 2023 at the age of 94. Known for his gentle demeanour and courteous nature, Steele-Smith was a respected figure in both the medical community and his church, leaving behind a legacy of professional excellence and faithful service.

Sources:

‘VALE: Dr John Henry Steele-Smith’, Luke’s Journal 29.1 (February 2024), online; and see reminiscences by Bob Claxton and Russell Clarke in the same issue.

Steele-Smith, Alice, ‘Obituary: Dr John Henry Steele-Smith 1929 – 2023’, The Mole 136 (Autumn 2023): 6.

Steele-Smith, J. H., and A. Steele-Smith, Letter to T. Slater, National Manager, Therapeutic Goods Agency, 28 May 2005.

‘Stories Spanning 80 Years’, Cruview, Summer 2019: 3-5.

Sydney Medical School, Online Database of alumni, https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine/museum/alumni/viewuserdetail.php?id=6578