Reflections

An event honouring the career achievements of the Journal's very own Editor-in-Chief, Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder AO, was hosted by the University of Sydney on 1 May 2014. Friends, colleagues and students both past and present gathered to mark the formal occasion of Stephen's retirement from the university. An assembly of esteemed researchers, educators and health policy advocates contributed to a lively program which befitted his substantial professional achievements and ideals. Guest facilitator Professor Don Nutbeam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, shared some amusing and informative insights as the program unfolded. Presentations centred on four main areas: chronic disease: an international epidemic medical education public health education and training for the 21st century health policy. Key themes emerged on the interplay between global economic forces and the health of populations. We learned of the shifting pattern of the burden of non-communicable disease from developed to developing countries and the advancements on the early work of epidemiologist Abdel Omran.1 We also learned of the different ways in which medical education is adapting to become more community-based, with fascinating examples highlighting the success of problem-based learning for health professionals in developing countries. And in what might be described as a rare consensus, colleagues in health policy were united in applauding Stephen for his many contributions to this field. The Honourable Dr Neal Blewett AC related the political realities of health policy reform and how capricious political intervention can derail initiatives such as food labelling. Later, the Honourable Jillian Skinner, New South Wales Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, shared her own insights and led the audience in a standing ovation in recognition of Stephen's contributions at the conclusion of her address. Along the way, several entertaining anecdotes and “Leederisms” were shared, and proceedings concluded with a spirited interview of the man of the hour by award-winning health journalist Dr Norman Swan. This covered, among other topics, early experiences in Stephen's life and how these influenced his career choices. From the sentiments expressed by those in attendance, it is clear that Stephen has had an influence on many careers and is an ongoing source of inspiration to many in his field. It is our good fortune that we, at the Journal, benefit from the breadth and depth of his experience, and we join in congratulating him on this memorable occasion.

Christine Gee

A short period of disability can be an enlightening experience

John B Best AOMDBS, PhD, DSc(Hon)

Bernard (Bun) Neal was born on 18 July 1924 and spent his childhood in the Melbourne suburb of Preston, where his father was a general practitioner. He graduated in medicine from the University of Melbourne in 1947.

James A Keipert

Doctors have an obligation to actively lead when the environment’s health is a vital community issue

John B Best AO, MD BS, PhD, DSc(Hon)

Charles (Charlie) Akkermans was born in Munich, Germany, on 23 July 1935. He attended the University of Western Australia for his first year of medicine, and completed his studies at the University of Adelaide, residing at Aquinas College and graduating in 1958. In 1959, he undertook his internship at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide and, in 1960, was a medical officer at the Repatriation General Hospital ...

Johanna Akkermans

Because the body is vocal as it nears the end with its querulous list of aches and pains that makes relatives squeamish. Because the body doesn’t care; everything grumbles and complains. The ground has become perilous. Because our bowels are slow, the bladder stings and the body is a mulish obstinate thing, whose hipbones jut out beneath flaps of skin. Because our log-jammed senses no longer grasp the ...

Lisa Jacobson

This Enlightening, Alarming and depressing book deserves a wide readership among doctors but also among politicians, health administrators, and drug and medical device regulators. While there is no shortage of books that have sought to expose the misconduct of the pharmaceutical industry (one thinks of the books of Braithwaite, Kassirer, Angell, Moynihan and Goldacre), I finished this book with the feeling that things are getting ...

Kerry J Breen

A reminder of the dedication of those committed to the pursuit of health and the protection of many

Kathryn M Weston BSc(Hons), PhD · Wendy C Gallagher BSc(Hons), GradDipA(Lib · James M Branley MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA

PANDEMICS, by Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, is based on the premise of equipping the public to be alert, not alarmed.The book, using a question-and-answer format, begins by giving the reader a crash course in the immune system and how the human body responds to invaders. It then provides a historical overview of pandemics and how respiratory infections, like influenza, are the greatest pandemic threat. ...

Merryn C McKinnon

While dogs can detect some cancers, cats might have other diagnostic talents

William H Seligman BA(Hons), BM BCh · Ari Manuel MB BS, MRCP, BSc

Morphine’s use in Australia has shaped public perception and current challenges

Matthew Grant MB BS, DipPallMed, MBioethics · Jennifer Philip PhD, FAChPM, MB BS · Anna Ugalde BA(Hons), PhD

A mobile unit allows surgical trainees to use state-of-the-art simulation equipment in urban and rural locations

Guilherme N Pena MD · Meryl Altree BNg · Wendy Babidge PhD · Guy J Maddern MB BS, PhD, FRACS

Top-down and bottom-up approaches are both needed to improve diabetes outcomes worldwide

Alicia J Jenkins MB BS, MD, FRACP

there is something comforting about sitting here with my hand on Robert’s breast he says, here, steady yourself against me here, he says, after a pause, he is thinking how best to fit me, he says it must have been bad but you’re here, you’re with us the surroundings burst with surgical fittings it all looks very Weimar, very neue Sach i expect fishnets, a crossed leg, a trail of ...

Lucy Dougan PhD

Ancient Egyptian surgeons employed skill, magic and superstition to perform an impressive array of procedures

Peter R Mayall MA, MB BS, FRANZCOG

What does it mean to be a leader in global health today?

Kylie Ngu MB BS, BMedSci

A qualified, culturally competent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce is vital for making a difference to Indigenous health

Romlie Mokak BSocSci, GradDipSpecEd

Medical involvement in sport and training should not focus only on the elite athlete

John Best AO, MD BS, PhD, DSc(Hon)

A fragile life opens a new dimension to family love

John S Whitehall FRACP

Medical students have been teaching their colleagues for generationsIn 2013, Silbert and colleagues have taken a “modern” look at students teaching their colleagues.1 Eighty-nine years ago, my father failed anatomy. During his repeat year, the students at his dissection table asked him, their more “experienced” colleague, for help. That year, he passed anatomy with a distinction. After gaining his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) ...

Peter C Arnold BSc, MB BCh, BA

(a friend, his son) “They said I should beam protonsinto his brain fuzzy with morphine and painin the room where he hung on shadows of life, side by sidewith death waiting for me that I might see his smilea last time. Where have you gone beamsof particles or light or waves that my son could not ride youback to this world. They said I should ...

Meir Weksler PhD