Top Adelaide surgeon Tim Proudman dies two years after brain tumour diagnosis

A renowned Adelaide plastic surgeon who dedicated his life to saving the lives of others has died two years after being diagnosed with a deadly brain tumour.

Tim Proudman (right) with daughter Bec Proudman, also a doctor. Picture: Supplied

An Adelaide doctor who dedicated his life to saving the lives of others has died, but not before living “life to the fullest until near the end”.

Renowned Adelaide plastic surgeon Dr Tim Proudman was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumour in November 2021 and sadly died last Thursday, February 22, 2024 aged just 62.

His wife, Susanna, told The Advertiser her husband made the most of his final moments.

“Tim died peacefully of his glioblastoma in Mary Potter surrounded by family on February 22, 2024, after a gradual decline over several weeks,” she said.

“He survived more than twice the expected median survival of 14 months and lived life to the fullest until near the end.”

Dr Tim Proudman in Kimberley with a barra. Picture: Supplied

Dr Tim Proudman operates in Bhutan. Picture: Supplied

Dr Proudman was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for his work in Australia and overseas.

For eight years he had been volunteering in Bhutan, a small Himalayan country. He also travelled to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory to share his knowledge.

Completing his medical degree in 1986, he later trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Adelaide and Brisbane, and was the head of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Working across multiple sites including the Burnside Hospital, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Calvary Wakefield’s Surgicentre, Dr Proudman was also on the board of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

His funeral will be held on Thursday March 7 at 2pm in Christchurch in North Adelaide.