Prince of Wales Inaugural Hall of Fame launched at Gala Dinner
Hundreds of medical alumni and current practitioners and staff gathered at the Australian National Maritime Museum recently, to recognise the achievements of a handful of exceptional people, while raising money for the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation (POWHF).
The inaugural Prince of Wales Hospital Hall of Fame was announced at the foundation’s Future Gala Dinner, inducting four esteemed clinicians who have pioneered and revolutionised medical practices and research in Australia and worldwide.
Posthumously inducted were legendary ophthalmologist Fred Hollows alongside heart disease researcher Professor Ralph Blacket and Vera Adderley, the Prince of Wales’ long-serving and beloved Director of Nursing.
Ms Leanne Zalapa, CEO, POWHF, said 92-year-old Professor James Lance AO, who is a leading neurologist and very much still alive, was the fourth clinician to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"Professor Lance was a magnificent addition to the Gala. He came with his whole family and spoke beautifully about his memories of the older buildings at Prince of Wales and Prince Henry hospitals recalling a time when a cat fell through the roof during one of his ward rounds,” Ms Zalapa said.
Dr Praveen Indraratna, who is currently completing his final year of specialist cardiology training at Prince of Wales Hospital, was the recipient of the inaugural Reg Inglis Scholarship. This three-year POWHF scholarship provides Praveen $120,000 to complete his studies and research.
"I’m very humbled to be the inaugural recipient, particularly in front of such a prestigious audience," Dr Indraratna said.
He received the scholarship for his work on Total Cardiac Care — a smartphone application to help monitor outpatients. The application comes with bluetooth-enabled health monitoring devices including a blood pressure machine allowing for patients to be monitored in real time after they are discharged. Praveen said the technology was “all about trying to prevent people coming back to hospital."
In addition, the Inaugural Prince of Wales Hospital Research Medal, with a research grant of $50,000 provided by POWHF, was awarded to world-leading ophthalmologist Professor Minas Coroneo AO.
All monies raised from the Gala will go towards the new Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building, the centrepiece of a bold vision for the Randwick Campus Redevelopment, breaking ground in late 2018 and opening in 2020.
