Continuing the legacy of a legend

More than 200 distinguished guests gathered to honour the legacy of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital’s first neurosurgeon at the annual Jamieson Oration on Thursday evening.

RBWH Executive Director Surgery and Perioperative Services Dr Barry O’Loughlin spoke about the lifesaving work of Dr Kenneth Jamieson who, among other achievements, influenced the introduction of mandatory seatbelts in cars.

Dr O’Loughlin also told the story of the hospital’s history of surgery from painful beginnings in pre-anaesthesia to the war years, and into the cutting edge surgery of today.

The audience were also treated to a preview of plans to create Queensland’s first trauma institute named after Dr Jamieson.

The proposed institute will revolutionise how trauma services are delivered, bringing together a unique and integrated group of services including intensive care, burns, rehab and military medicine.