Philip graduated in 1973 from Monash University with an Honours degree in Medicine and Surgery. In 1980 he gained the post graduate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and has since been active on the Victorian Panel of Examiners for this qualification.

In 1987 he completed the Sports Medicine course run jointly by the Australian Sports Medicine Federation and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and was Medical Officer with the Kangaroos from 1988 until 1993. From late 1993 to late 2002 he was medical officer for the Carlton Football Club. He has worked as a doctor for the 2000 Olympics and has a keen interest in the sports person as a whole.

Philip was recently awarded a fellowship of Sports Doctors of Australia as recognition of his sports medicine expertise.