Emeritus Professor Bryant Stokes was an eminent Professor of Neurosurgery, with a strong professional clinical profile and an outstanding track record at the executive and operational levels of the organisation. Born in 1937, Professor Stokes attended Wesley College before becoming one of the first students to graduate from the newly established UWA Medical School in 1959.
After working initially at Royal Perth Hospital in 1962 Professor Stokes became a demonstrator and then Lecturer in Anatomy at The University of Western Australia (UWA). He also served in the Royal Australian Airforce (Reserve) as Group Captain in Medicine (1965-1978).
After further study and neurosurgical training in Perth and Canada, Professor Stokes became a Consultant at Royal Perth Hospital in 1971, rapidly gaining attention for his skill in treating brain aneurysms.
Over his storied career Professor Stokes acted in the role of Commissioner for Health; Examiner in Neurosurgery; he was a Chairperson of the WA Council on Safety and Quality in HealthCare and carried out successful investigative reviews across State and Commonwealth jurisdictions. He also held the position of Chair of the Governing Council for the South Metropolitan Health Service.
He was recognised as one of Australia's leading Neurosurgeons, working as a Consultant at Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Princess Margaret and Fremantle hospitals while serving on numerous medical advisory panels and committees.
As Acting Commissioner of Health in 2000 Professor Stokes assisted in the development of the Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre (CTEC) at UWA, established to foster high quality education for health professionals in simulated and real-world settings.
Professor Stokes also carried out the Review of the Adverse Events to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 2010, the Review of Four Hour Rule Program Issues and Progress in Stage One Hospitals December 2011; the Admission and Discharge Referral Practices for the Metropolitan Hospital Emergency Departments 2011: and the Review of the Admission or referral to and the Discharge or transfer practices of public mental health facilities/services in Western Australia 2012.
Following the resignation of Kim Snowball from the position of Director General of Health in 2013, Professor Stokes was appointed A/Director General of Health until the permanent appointment of Dr David Russell-Weisz as Director General of Health in August 2015.
With the establishment of the five Metropolitan Health Service Boards on 1st July 2016, Professor Stokes served as the Chair of the North Metropolitan Health Service Board.
Professor Stokes was made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia for his services to medicine (2001), was invested in the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller (2008), and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from UWA in 2016.