Professor Graham Hill's contributions to medicine, surgery, teaching and research have spanned more than 25 years.
He was the head of surgery at Auckland Hospital and a professor of surgery at the University of Auckland's School of Medicine for about 20 years, prior to 2001.
Prof Hill (69) grew up in Wakari, Dunedin, and attended Kings High School.
He has lived in Wanaka for the past eight years.
He studied medicine and surgery at the University of Otago (1964-69), where he was inspired by the work and teachings of surgeon professors Gus Fraenkel, Alan Clarke and Stanley Wilson, among others.
Prof Hill said the award was a "great honour" and recognised the very high of standards of surgery in New Zealand.
His pioneering research into surgery techniques influenced medical practices around the world.
After leaving Auckland Hospital, he travelled extensively as a sought-after lecturer and speaker at international medical conferences.
He has garnered worldwide and critical acclaim for his work on nutritional and metabolic problems in critically ill patients.
Prof Hill paid tribute to the support of his wife, Bartha, whom he had been "hopelessly in love with for the past 45 years".
"She has been a constant source of strength, inspiration, and help. This award really should go to her," he said.
The couple have travelled the world together.
They went to Southeast Asia as medical missionaries, and have lived in Leeds, UK, and Texas in the United States, where Prof Hill worked and developed his challenging surgery procedures.
The couple have three sons, who have all followed in their father's medical footsteps.
Prof Hill has written 10 books and contributed chapters and research papers to an extensive list of medical publications.
He has received numerous international medical awards for his studies and surgery research.
Prof Hill has also been associated with the Presbyterian Church for more than 30 years and is an elder member of the Otago-Southland Synod Executive Committee involved in philanthropic projects.
