Department of Surgery celebrates 50 years

Professor Julian Smith speaking at
the 50 year celebration dinner

The Department of Surgery in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner held at the Monash Club on Friday, 7 June 2019. Hosted by Professor Julian Smith, Head of Department of Surgery at SCS and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Monash Health, the evening was an opportunity to bring together those who have been pivotal in the department’s success since its beginnings.

Originally located at Prince Henry’s Hospital on St Kilda Road, the department relocated to its current site at Monash Medical Centre (MMC) in 1986. Since its inception in the late sixties, the Department of Surgery has seen four department heads at its helm, Professor Jim Watts 1969-1975, Professor Vernon Charles Marshall 1975-1996, Acting Head Professor David Scott 1996-2001, and current head Professor Julian Smith.

Current and former members of the department, as well as current members of the School of Clinical Sciences and Monash Health attended the evening of celebrations. Professor David Scott and Professor Julian Smith spoke, with both acknowledging what a wonderful occasion it was for past and present members to gather on the Monash University campus and to reflect upon the five decades of outstanding achievements in surgical education and research.

Having seen many changes over the years, Professor Smith says the department’s future prospects are bright. “The department has a very exciting future ahead in areas such as surgical simulation, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, biobanking, cancer research, big data and major clinical trials, and 3-D printing for surgical procedures to name just a few.” He also pointed out that members of the department will be active within the new Victorian Heart Hospital due for completion in 2022.

Gratitude was expressed to all those in attendance who had contributed to the teaching, training and research activities of the department throughout its 50 year history, with everyone agreeing the night was a great success and that the future for the department does indeed look bright.