Biography of Richard Stark

About Richard Stark

Leadership Focus

If elected President, I will bring to the role my financial expertise, my perspective as a clinician and educator, and my deep appreciation for the importance of research and knowledge dissemination in the field of headache disorders. I am committed to upholding the values of IHS and pursuing its aims and objectives.

Clear communication of treatment costs and financial arrangements to avoid surprises.
Offering sedation dentistry for anxious or nervous patients to ensure a comfortable experience.
Pediatric-focused amenities and a welcoming environment for young patients.
Courteous and helpful front desk staff, dental assistants, and hygienists to create a positive patient experience.

Biography of Richard Stark AM

Education and Training

Professor Stark graduated from Monash University and received specialized training in neurology at prestigious institutions including the Alfred Hospital (Melbourne), The London Hospital, and Queen Square (London).

Professional Appointments

He was appointed Visiting Neurologist at the Alfred Hospital and later Adjunct Clinical Professor at Monash University.

Clinical Focus

Professor Stark maintains a busy private practice with a strong focus on headache disorders. He was instrumental in establishing the headache clinic at the Alfred Hospital, now the largest public hospital-based headache clinic in Australia.

Contributions to the Field

Beyond his clinical work, Professor Stark has actively contributed to the advancement of neurology through multi-centre trials, international migraine advisory committees, and extensive publications on headache.

Awards

Awards and Recognition

Professor Stark’s service to neurology has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the E Graham Robertson Award from ANZAN (2009), the ANZAN Medal (2012), the Noshir Wadia Orator award at the AOCN/IAN meeting (2022), and his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019.

Commitment to Impartial Leadership

My extensive experience with organizations such as the WFN, ANZHS, and ANZAN has provided me with valuable insights into effective leadership. Importantly, I have not been previously involved at the board level with the IHS, which I believe allows me to bring an impartial perspective.

Contact

Prof Richard Stark With His Wife

Prof Tissa Wijeratne

I’ve had the good fortune of working closely with Professor Richard Stark for nearly two decades across headache services in Australia, the Asia-Oceania region, and through the World Federation of Neurology. Richard is an exceptional human being—wise, kind, inclusive, and deeply committed to improving brain health.

He leads with both intellect and heart, and I have no doubt he would make a truly outstanding President of the International Headache Society. With Richard at the helm, I believe we’ll see a new era in headache medicine—one grounded in equity, diversity, compassion, and collaboration.

Dr Bronwyn Jenkins

Prof Stark is a leader in headache, particularly in the Australasian region. As well as being an admired clinician, he has improved education, advocacy and provision of care in headache greatly. As such, he has been acknowledged at the highest level with the award as Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his achievements. Whilst I have known Richard, he has held multiple prestigious roles in our Australian and New Zealand Headache Society (ANZHS, the local association of neurologists (ANZAN), the Asian Regional Congress of Headache (ARCH) and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), using his wise and diplomatic approach in these leadership roles. I wholeheartedly endorse Prof Stark as a candidate for being President of the IHS.