SA doctor Dr Philip Tideman dies, medical community pays tribute

An eminent and much-loved Adelaide cardiologist, who made a profound contribution to South Australia’s health system, has died.

Cardiologist Dr Philip Tideman was appointed to the Order of Australia this year.

The state’s medical community is mourning the loss of prominent Adelaide cardiologist Dr Philip Tideman.

The senior cardiologist – who was appointed to the Order of Australia earlier this year and was a finalist for South Australian of the Year in 2017 – passed away on Wednesday.

Dr Tideman, 61, a devoted father, died after a long battle with bowel cancer

He grew up in the South-East and practised in Mount Gambier as well as Adelaide, where he was based at Flinders Medical Centre.

Dr Tideman was known for his dedication to improving equity of access to cardiovascular care for rural residents.

He discovered people from rural SA had a far lower chance of surviving a heart attack than those from metropolitan Adelaide and developed the integrated Cardiovascular Clinical Network (iCCnet) to reduce the survival gap.

As director of iCCnet, Dr Tideman led the development of a cloud-based AI platform to analyse people’s health.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton confirmed his passing with a tribute on social media.

“All doctors work to save lives, but by creating @iCCnetSA Phil saved the lives of countless patients he never even met,” Mr Picton wrote. “A giant of regional and cardiac health, Phil will be missed by all. RIP.”

Incredibly sad news for the @sahealth family with the passing of Dr Phil Tideman AM.

All doctors work to save lives, but by creating @iCCnetSA Phil saved the lives of countless patients he never even met.

A giant of regional and cardiac health, Phil will be missed by all. RIP

— Chris Picton MP (@PictonChris) July 26, 2023

Dr Philip Tideman was acclaimed for his work in improving outcomes for rural heart patients.

Dr Tideman’s death has shocked and saddened SA’s medical community.

Mount Gambier orthopaedic surgeon Dr Barney McCusker said “at 61 he died too soon”.

“He was a very vital part of Mount Gambier’s health and did a huge amount for the people of Mount Gambier and the South-East,” Dr McCusker said.

“He was a very dedicated and very good doctor, taken much too early.

“He was (late transport magnate) Allan Scott’s personal physician and made him a healthier man which was important to our wider community here.”

Dr Tideman, who lived at Toorak Gardens, trained at the Royal Hobart and Royal Adelaide hospitals, completing his cardiology specialist training at Flinders Medical Centre in 1996.

He was vice president of the Rural Doctors Association of SA and held positions on numerous groups dedicated to improving heart health, particularly in rural and remote communities.

These included roles with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health, the Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, and National Heart Foundation of Australia.

His awards include the Minister’s Health Award, Virtual Clinical Care Service, South Australia Health Awards in 2015; the Distinguished Services Award, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine in 2011; and the Medal for Clinical Services in Rural and Remote Areas, Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2008.

The world of rural health lost a legend today with the passing of Dr Phil Tideman @heartphilt
Phil conceived and led the transformative Integrated Cardiac Network which now means the outcomes for patients with a STEMI in rural SA are as good as for those living in the city. Vale

— Paul Worley (@PaulWorleySA) July 26, 2023

David Pope added: “He will be missed. I had the honour of working with Phil at FMC (Flinders Medical Centre) to set up one of the very first chest pain assessment units with close ties to the Flinders ED ... he strived to achieve the fast and effective care for patients. RIP.”

Professor of Rural Medical Education Paul Worley also paid tribute on social media.

“The world of rural health lost a legend today with the passing of Dr Phil Tideman,” Professor Worley wrote.

“Phil conceived and led the transformative Integrated Cardiac Network which now means the outcomes for patients with a STEMI (a type of heart attack) in rural SA are as good as for those living in the city. Vale.”

In a joint message to all SA Health staff on Thursday Mr Picton and SA Health chief executive Dr Robyn Lawrence praised Dr Tideman for his service to the community saying “he will be missed by all.”

“Phil travelled the length and breadth of our state, meeting and working with doctors and nurses in all of our country hospitals,” the message reads.

“He epitomised the best values of our public health system with his passion for ensuring access, safe and quality services for all patients, no matter their location or background.”

Dr Tideman’s daughter Edwina said it was “heartwarming to see so many kind comments from people who were touched by his work.”