Esteemed members of WA’s medical and tertiary education communities recently gathered at The University Club of Western Australia to celebrate CTEC’s 25th Anniversary.
View the 25th Anniversary Sundowner Photographs here
CTEC Director and Head of UWA’s Division of Surgery Professor Jeffrey Hamdorf described the milestone as a testament to the dedication, vision and hard work of countless individuals who collectively have ensured that Western Australia remains a global leader in surgical education. Several attendees travelled from afar to attend the celebration.
“Tonight is about gratitude – gratitude for all those who have contributed to CTEC’s success over the past 25 years,” said Professor Hamdorf.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you this evening as we celebrate the incredible 25 year journey of CTEC.
“From both audacious and ambitious beginnings, CTEC has blossomed into a world-class training facility, covering 2,100 square metres of space. With seminar facilities and a procedural skills laboratory downstairs and a dedicated medical simulation and research area upstairs.
“CTEC has been at the forefront of medical education, equipping generations of health care professionals with hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment.
“CTEC’s significant contributions to medical education have been made possible through the generosity of the University’s Body Donation Program. In combination with CTEC’s training programs this initiative has given local and Australian healthcare professionals the most realistic surgical training experience anywhere in the world.”
Professor Hamdorf described CTEC’s flagship medical training programs as continuing to set the benchmark for medical education.
“These programs, and many more, would not be possible without our dedicated faculty members, whose passion for teaching is the true driving force behind our success. Our training programs have benefitted countless healthcare professionals including surgeons, GPs, physicians, anaesthetists and nurses. CTEC has provided comprehensive training pathways, guiding individuals from medical school through to consultancy.”
He acknowledged the collaborative spirit of CTEC’s founding partners including The University of Western Australia, the Health Department of Western Australia, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Hill Surgical Foundation.
Professor Hamdorf paid tribute to the tireless efforts of the many remarkable individuals who paid pivotal roles in CTEC’s establishment and history including Richard Vaughan and Kingsley Faulkner, Bryant Stokes, the late Michael Quinlan, Bernie Laurence, Robert Davies, Ian Hammond, John Taylor, Ian Puddey, Carleen Ellis, Richard Riley, Brent Donovan, Aileen Donaghy and Wally Thompson.
“In Anatomy Paul McMenamin, Darryl Kirk, Neville Bruce, John McGeachie, Ron Swann, Brendan Wadell and Alan Harvey have all championed CTEC’s integration into UWA’s medical training.”
Professor Hamdorf acknowledged the commitment to education of the UWA Medical School which continued to shape future doctors and that had always been supportive of CTEC and its vision, personally thanking Professors Wendy Erber and Brendan McQuillan who were in attendance.
He also paid particular tribute to the late Emeritus Professor and UWA Vice Chancellor Alan Robson.
“Alan was an admired and true friend of CTEC. Had it not been for Alan’s belief in the value of medical and surgical education and huge support of the project then this extraordinary facility would not be. Alan was a true friend who seemed to know everyone on campus and would always stop and say hello. His legacy is genuine, our memories are treasured.
“None of this would be possible without the incredible CTEC team, whose dedication is the heartbeat of our success. “
The celebration featured an Awards Ceremony recognising a key group of current CTEC workshop Convenors and Faculty who had dedicated significant time to advancing medical training – the inaugural group of CTEC Distinguished Service Award recipients.
Professor Hamdorf said that building on its past CTEC would continue to evolve, embracing new technology and training methodologies to ensure that Western Australia remains a global leader in surgical education.