Dr Will Cairns OAM is a Consultant Emeritus in Palliative Medicine at Townsville University Hospital where he was the founding Director of the Palliative Care Service.

After directing the Palliative Care Service for nearly 30 years, he is now retired from clinical practice. He remains active as a writer and promoter of more open discussion of death and dying, and better care at the end of life.

He was awarded an OAM for his roles in the development of palliative care services across Northern Queensland and the creation of the specialty of Palliative Medicine in Australia.