2990 Microsurgery.qxd - O'Brien Institute

Chairman’s Report
Microsurgery Foundation
MICROSURGERY FOUNDATION
The mission of the Microsurgery Foundation is
to support financially the Bernard O’Brien
Institute of Microsurgery. Public awareness of
the work of the Institute and its plastic and
reconstructive surgery and hand surgery team
at St Vincent’s Hospital is largely through the
reattachment of amputated body parts. Less
well known is its sophisticated and expert
microsurgical reconstruction of patients after
cancer removal from breasts, head and neck,
skin and bone cancers, etc. A steady stream of
surgeons from around the world constantly
come to train at the Institute and return to
their own countries to adopt these new
techniques. The Microsurgery Foundation is a
dedicated group of business and professional
people who, since its inception in 1970, have
been responsible for raising funds for research,
equipment and building infrastructure. It has
established several scientific and surgical
fellowships which attract highly qualified
international candidates. The Foundation is a
public company limited by guarantee, has no
share capital and declares no dividend.
AWARD
We congratulate Professor Wayne Morrison on
being awarded the Tattersalls Achievement Award
in October 1997 for his work with the face and
scalp replantation on a young woman from
central Victoria. This operation received worldwide
publicity and graphically demonstrated that new
research developed at the O’Brien Institute can be
applied directly for the benefit of patients.
FUND RAISING
On behalf of the Board I wish to thank those
trusts, benefactors, corporate bodies and
individuals who have supported us throughout
the year. We have listed their wonderful
donations and the research they sponsored in
this report. The Board is very grateful for your
generosity. A major priority in the future is to
enhance the funding drive and establish new
fellowship schemes in order to continue
important research work and training.
The humanitarianism of the Transport Accident
Commission, under the Chairmanship of
Margaret Jackson, in their ongoing support
of funded projects into trauma deserves special
mention. This wonderful gesture has allowed
us to carry on research into tissue and limb
protection and reconstruction following trauma.
This research aims to minimise the severity of
the initial injury, accelerate the rate of recovery
and improve the quality of the results.
The National Australia Bank has again given
a Surgical Research Fellowship this year. This
will assist in the training of microsurgeons in
microsurgical research and techniques to
benefit the community.
PAIN RESEARCH AND CLINICAL
MANAGEMENT
A multidisciplinary centre for acute and chronic
pain management has commenced at St Vincent’s
Hospital. It focuses on patient care, educational
programs and research. Research will be
conducted through the Bernard O’Brien Institute
of Microsurgery. The director is Dr Andrew Muir
and already it is fulfilling a major community need.
The initiative for this centre largely came from
Barbara Walker who, because of her own
experience of pain and through her public profile
raised awareness of the silent epidemic of pain
sufferers. The centre has received expert guidance
and support from Professor Michael Cousins,
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and generous
start-up funding from Victorian WorkCover
Authority. The centre will be opened by
The Hon John Howard, Prime Minister of
Australia, on 16 December, 1998.
BOARD MEMBERS
Members devoted their time to the Business Plan
to place the Foundation and the Pain Research
Centre in a prominent place for the Year 2000
and beyond. They worked continuously during
the year considering policy, finance, fund raising
and the future of the Foundation.
During the year Professor James Angus,
Mr Allan MacLeod and Ms Josephine O’Brien
(daughter of Mr Bernard O’Brien) joined the
Board. We welcome our new members and
look forward to their deliberations. These
appointments followed the resignation of
Emeritus Professor Gerard Crock, Dr John
Connell, Mr Marc Besen, Mr Keith Dawson
and Ms Norma Tullo. I would like to sincerely
thank these Directors for their contribution over
the years in providing leadership and guidance
to the Foundation. The Board has made
Dr John Connell and Mr Marc Besen Members
of the Foundation. Professor Gerard Crock and
Dr John Connell have been appointed to the
Scientific Committee of Bernard O’Brien
Institute of Microsurgery.
We were all saddened to learn of the passing
of our esteemed Board member and colleague,
Mrs Jeanette Edwards, in April 1998. Our
dedication to Jeanette is on the inside back cover.
THE PAST
We have commissioned a history of 30 years
of Microsurgery, from 1970 through to 2000.
Dean of Creative Arts, University of Melbourne,
Associate Professor Angela O’Brien, will provide
assistance in compiling this document.
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