Otago Medical School 150th Committee Chair Emerita Professor Dawn Elder has enjoyed reading many of the books by and about alumni which will be on display in the Health Sciences Library from 29 May until 5 June. Dawn is sitting in the chair used by the inaugural OMS Dean, Professor John Halliday Scott. Beside her is the walnut desk which former Dean (1959-67) Sir Edward Sayers used in his medical practice for more than 50 years. The desk was given to the OMS by Lady Sayers.
Much may have changed in medicine over 150 years, but not the dedication of doctors and researchers and their ability to make a difference.
The amazing achievements of Otago Medical School, Te Kura Hauora o Ōtākou students past and present, and the positive impact they have had on the lives of people around the world, will be acknowledged and celebrated at the School’s 150th commemorations, which start on the evening of Thursday, 29 May.
More than 300 alumni, staff, students and guests from across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States, will gather at the Dunedin campus from 29 May to 1 June to celebrate the many years of clinical training, research and innovation across the School’s three campuses – Ōtepoti Dunedin, Ōtautahi Christchurch and Pōneke Wellington.
OMS Dean Professor Suzanne Pitama says she can’t wait to be part of these exciting events.
“I’m most looking forward to being part of a time and space where we honour the legacy of the OMS for 150 years, with people who are connected to the past and present, and are part of our future.
“It is exciting to walk into our future with our eyes on the past – in that way we learn from the lessons of all who have gone before, and take forward their aspirations and dreams and make them a reality.”
There is a great programme of events featuring speakers from across the Division of Health Sciences as well as research displays, tours, panel discussions and a debate. The mihi whakatau, and a welcome from Chancellor Trish Oakley and Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson, take place on Friday morning.
There is also a variety of social events so people can reconnect with friends and colleagues.
Health Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Megan Gibbons says these celebrations are an opportunity to honour the School’s historic legacy, and all those who have shaped its success, while also looking to the future.
OMS 150th Committee Chair Emerita Professor Dawn Elder says she is looking forward to hearing staff talk about their research, and also the reflections on teaching and our academic role as critic and conscience of society.
“I have been very much enjoying researching our history and reflecting on how much the practice of medicine has changed over the last 150 years and how our teaching and research has adapted to those changes.
“I hope our alumni and staff will be proud of what has been achieved. We know quite a lot about our famous graduates, but we plan to tell stories that are less well known as well.”
A Histology class at work c.1906. Photo: MS-1537/538, University of Otago Medical School, Alumnus Association Inc records, Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena.
Dawn says despite the many changes over 150 years, the Medical School is still producing important research outcomes and our graduates are well prepared for their role in the health system.
“However, we need ongoing investment to keep up these high standards.”
Suzanne hopes the celebrations will illustrate the contribution that the OMS has made to building the health workforce and health knowledge economy in Aotearoa.
“I hope old friends are able to meet, old colleagues embrace, and new networks are made.”
She thanked Dawn and all those involved in organising the commemorative events for the huge amount of work they had contributed.
“We’re all looking forward to being informed, entertained and inspired to support OMS plans for the next 150 years.”
- Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications
Happy Otago medical graduates.
Other events of interest
A range of other events are running alongside the Otago Medical School’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Book launch
A Physician’s Journey
Written by Emeritus Professor Eric Espiner of the University of Otago, Christchurch, A Physician’s Journey shares the wisdom and insights borne of more than 90 years of life and almost 70 years as both clinician and researcher.
Covering a long career in cardiac endocrinology, this engaging memoir will be launched on Thursday, 29 May in Christchurch.
Book launch and public talk
Against the Odds – New Zealand’s first women doctors
Against the Odds is a collection of remarkable stories featuring the women who graduated from the Otago Medical School between 1896 and 1967. The book launch is being held on Saturday afternoon, 31 May at the University Book Shop in Dunedin.
The authors, Professor Cindy Farquhar and Michaela Selway, will share their insights when they present the OMS Alumni Association Medical History Lecture on Thursday, 29 May, 5:15-6pm at the Castle 1 Lecture Theatre. This talk is open to the public and also forms part of the reunion programme.
Military field hospital
People will step back in time when they visit the re-enactment of a military field hospital at the Hunter Centre on Saturday, 31 May, 10:30am-4pm. Please note: this venue differs from previously advertised.
Organised by the Otago Military Historical Group, visitors will see what World War I and World War II hospitals looked like and there will also be a display tent with memorabilia from a range of historical conflicts.
As well as seeing medics in action, the re-enactment will include stretcher bearers, soldiers and prisoners of war. A WWI ambulance and WWII jeeps will also be on display.
Gold coin donations would be appreciated, to help fund future projects.
Exhibitions
OMS Graduates: Books By, and About, Alumni
A small exhibition of books by and about OMS alumni will be on display on the main (first) floor of the Health Sciences Library in the Sayers building on Great King Street. The library is open from 7am to 11pm every day, including King’s Birthday – Monday, 2 June.
Anniversary participants, staff, students and members of the public are welcome to view the exhibition, which will run from 29 May until 5 June.
ISSUES!
Get a last glimpse of the ISSUES! exhibition that celebrates 100 years of Otago student magazine Critic Te Ārohi. On Saturday, 31 May, the exhibition, in the Special Collections de Beer Gallery in the University Central Library, will be open 1-5pm.
Civil Twilight
Anatomy and art are intertwined in an exhibition by Dunedin-based artist Nicola Jackson.
A former Frances Hodgkins Fellow, Nicola’s association with the University’s W D Trotter Anatomy Museum began in 1981 when she was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury. Her work invites viewers to confront the intricate complexities of the human body in relation to themselves.
Civil Twilight has works in a range of media, including papier mache, painting and sculpture. The exhibition is at the Brett McDowell Gallery, 5 Dowling Street and will be open to the public on Saturday, 31 May, 11am-5pm and Sunday, 1 June, 12:30pm-3pm, and then runs until 18 June.