125 years of medical excellence

An impressive list of ground-breaking medical discoveries and achievements over 125 years are being celebrated at the University of Adelaide in 2010.

This year marks a series of milestones for the University's health programs, including the 125th anniversary of the Medical School, the 90th birthday of the Dental School and 15 years of teaching within the Discipline of Nursing.

The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Justin Beilby, said the University's medical graduates and staff had made an enormous contribution to society at large.

"None more so than Lord Howard Florey, a 1921 medical graduate and 1945 Nobel Laureate whose role in the development of penicillin as the world's first antibiotic has saved an estimated 80 million lives," Professor Beilby said.

Another prominent medical alumnus internationally recognised in his field is Dr J. Robin Warren, who shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2005 for helping to identify the role of bacterium in peptic and gastric ulcers.

Helen Mayo (a pioneer in women's and children's health in Australia), Dr Basil Hetzel (renowned for his work in iodine deficiency) and Sir Hugh Cairns (world class neurosurgeon and instigator of the motorcycle helmet) are all outstanding examples of the University's medical alumni.

"We are very proud of the contribution that our 5800 graduates have made over the past 125 years in the clinical, teaching and research fields," Professor Beilby said.

"Our graduates practise widely across Australia, South East Asia and the rest of the world, and I have no doubt that the vast majority of South Australians have, at some time in their lives, received medical care from someone who has studied or worked at the University of Adelaide."

The Faculty of Health Sciences is hosting a series of events throughout 2010 to mark the 125th anniversary, culminating with a week-long program of activities from 1-4 September. These include:

CELEBRATING 125 years of medicine at the University of Adelaide at a Gala Dinner held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday 1 September 2010. University and College staff and their families will be invited to attend;

EXPERIENCING the unique history of the University's medical programs by attending the Medicine 125th Historical Exhibition in the Barr Smith Library (26 May-4 September 2010);

APPRECIATING `A Day In The Life Of Medicine', a specially commissioned art show exhibiting significant South Australian medical professionals, brought to life by artists in residence Ms Avril Thomas and Ms Meg Brassil. (30 August-2 September 2010);

DISCOVERING today's up and coming medical researchers at the 1 September Faculty Postgraduate Research Expo, which will showcase the breadth of academic expertise and the cutting edge research taking place in the Medical School;

PLAYING a friendly round of golf with medical alumni on 2 September, followed by dinner and drinks at the Grange Golf Course with celebrity Chef Andrew Fielke and Master of Ceremonies Kerry O'Keeffe;

LEARNING from local and international keynote speakers during three health lectures to be held in Bonython Hall and the National Wine Centre, which will be open to the public.

Among the special guests attending the September celebrations will be Baroness Susan Greenfield, a prominent British scientist who was Adelaide's Thinker in Residence in 2004 and 2005; and Professor Ian Gilmore, an internationally renowned liver disease specialist. ■

To find out more, visit: www.health.adelaide.edu.au/medicine125