Walshs are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2023 $10,000 Walshs Medical Bursary, Dr Luke Nottingham.
The $10,000 in bursary funds will allow Dr Nottingham to take a small team of anaesthetists and anaesthetic trainees to The Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Fiji to facilitate a teaching workshop. Here they will provide additional education to trainees from neighbouring countries such as Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands on the provision of safer anaesthesia. Anaesthesia in the Pacific carries a higher morbidity and mortality rate compared to that in Australia due to many factors including a lower resource setting and limited access to drugs and equipment.
Dr Nottingham graduated in 2011 from The University of Queensland with the Dr Paul Stuart McCarthy Prize. He currently works as a Staff Specialist at the Gold Coast University Hospital – GCUH and multiple private hospitals across the coast. He is passionate about developing world anaesthesia and has experience working throughout Fiji, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
“The high calibre and variety of applications and projects was certainly impressive, it’s inspiring to see the clinical experiences and research being undertaken by our clients.” commented Michael Walsh, Walshs CEO, “Dr Nottingham’s submission stood out as a project that will have economic, societal, and academic value. We congratulate him wholeheartedly for his efforts and anticipate a positive account of his project once he returns from his trip”.
Dr Peter Steer, Mater Chief Executive Officer (and bursary selection committee member) added, “While there were numerous thoughtful proposals, many addressing important clinical question or the needs of vulnerable populations, this project will have a significant and ongoing impact throughout the Pacific in the further development in this critical specialty area.”
Emeritus Professor Jeffrey Lipman AM, Head of Academy of Anaesthesia and Critical Care UQ (and bursary selection committee member) states “There were two projects that stood out notably, as not only would they help with the professional development of the individual concerned but would also contribute beneficially to a wider community.“ he said, “This particular outstanding project was to help run educational courses for anaesthetic trainees from the Pacific Island region.”
We eagerly anticipate Luke’s project activity report and details on the impact and outcomes of these workshops after their completion later this year.
The Walshs Medical Bursary will be running again in 2024, please reach out to us on enquiries@walshs.com.au for more information or head to our ‘Walshs Medical Bursary‘ page for updates.
By Andrea Finley, Walshs Marketing Officer
