A profound loss for the CTEC and UWA community
The CTEC team is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Emeritus Professor Bryant Stokes AO, eminent retired Professor of Neurosurgery. Professor Stokes was an integral part of the fabric of The University of Western Australia and of CTEC since its inception in 2000. He was at the forefront of the development of neurosurgery in Australia and profoundly shaped Western Australian surgical and medical education throughout his career.
A distinguished career in neurosurgery and healthcare leadership
One of UWA’s first graduates of medicine, Professor Stokes forged a strong professional clinical profile and an outstanding track record at the executive and operational levels of the WA health system. He was recognised as one of Australia’s pre-eminent neurosurgeons who contributed to the development of neurosurgery in WA and Australia.
Professor Stokes was one of The University of Western Australia’s Medical School in 1959. In 1962 Professor Stokes became a Lecturer in Anatomy at UWA and was admitted to the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1965.
He was a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, Fremantle Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital.
Leadership across Western Australia’s health system
Across his storied career Professor Stokes acted in the role of Commissioner for Health; Examiner in Neurosurgery; he was a past 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 and was elected President of the AMA (WA) in 1982.
As Acting Commissioner of Health in 2000 Professor Stokes was instrumental in the development of CTEC at UWA and played a pivotal role in the Centre’s launch by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2013 Professor Stokes was appointed Acting Director General of Health until the permanent appointment of Dr David Russell-Weisz as Director General of Health in 2015.
With the establishment of the five Metropolitan Health Service Boards in 2016, Professor Stokes was appointed the Chair of the North Metropolitan Health Service Board. In that year he was also awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Medicine by UWA.
Recognition for service to Australian healthcare
Emeritus Professor Stokes’ outstanding contribution to Australian health care was recognised by his appointment as an Officer in the General Division (AO) of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He was recognised for his distinguished leadership and guidance in Western Australian healthcare governance and standards.
A lasting legacy
CTEC Director and Head of UWA’s Division of Surgery Professor Jeffrey Hamdorf said Professor Stokes’ passing will be felt throughout WA’s medical and wider communities.
“Professor Stokes played a pivotal role in many important aspects of the development and guidance of CTEC. In addition he had a strong influence through the Medical School, the Department of Anatomy and the University abroad. Professor Stokes’ love of anatomy is a sentiment which resonated powerfully with those who knew well. His passing will be felt through many areas in our community.”
CTEC offers its deepest condolences to Professor Stokes’ family, loved ones and friends.