- Email: [email protected]
Douglas Kevin Baird, AM, BSc(Med), MBBS, FRACS, FRCS, FACC cardiothoracic surgeon 20 June 1940 –16 November 1995
Asia Pacific
J Thorac
Cardiovasc
Surg 1996;5(1)
Douglas Kevin Baird, AM, BSc(Med), MBBS, FRACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon 20 June 1940 -
FACS, FACC
16 November 1995
the principles of mutual respect, cooperation and partnership. He did not hold to untenable anachronisms of egotism and infallibility, nor did he promote the vain glories of “prima donnas”. With dedication to his patients and the patients of his colleagues, Baird founded an enduring testament to his skills of leadership and surgery, and to his ability to bring out the best in others.
ne of the great contributions to Australian medicine was cut short when Douglas Kevin Baird died in his beloved Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after a short struggle with cancer. An only child, he was educated at Cleveland Street High School before studying medicine at the University of Sydney. He undertook a BSc in Medicine, which he completed with Honours. He completed his studies in 1966, having gained seven prizes or scholarships, including the University Medal.
0
He believed that surgical outcomes must be measured and continually improved. To that end, he established an extraordinarily complex database on all patients undergoing heart surgery at the hospital and was instrumental in the development of the National Registry of Cardiac Surgery compiled by the National Heart Foundation.
It was during his time at the University of Sydney that he first demonstrated his capacity to lead and an enormous commitment to both his colleagues and the community. He served the union, the Sydney University Medical Society and the Australian Medical Students Association. He commenced his medical internship at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) and developed an immediate and deep attachment to that hospital, which always remained. He quickly became interested in cardiothoracic surgery. While a trainee, he joined the third Australian Surgical Team to Vung Tau in the Republic of South Vietnam, where he served with great distinction. He then returned to RPAH to complete his studies for the diploma of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, which was awarded in 1971.
He was devoted to his patients. Each received individual attention on the daily ward round, and all were reassured by his understated smile as he listened to their problems. In the operating room he would devote himself totally to the task at hand and, with great calmness and patience, perform the most intricate surgery for as long as was necessary. He saw his patients as friends, and many such encounters were to become lifelong friendships. His keen intellect combined with his natural diplomacy made him an able administrator. He contributed enormously to the administration of the hospital and the Central Sydney Area Health Service, chairing the boards of both organisations.
Thereafter he was appointed a senior registrar to the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, where he developed an abiding interest in the electrical conduction system of the heart. From New Zealand he was to travel to the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with a Clinical Fellowship of the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
He was recognised internationally for his expertise in administration and was appointed as adviser to the governments of both Singapore and Malaysia. He was involved in the development of surgical training through the RACS and, for six years, was chairman of the Board of Studies in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
In 1974, he returned to Australia to take up a post as a Visiting Medical Officer in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the RPAH. In 1979, he became head of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit and, with his colleagues, established a unique ‘surgical practice in Australia. It was founded on
His community service extended outside the health area to the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve, where he rose to the rank of Group Captain. He was particularly interested in the Scouting Association of Australia and served as director of
47
Asia Pacific .I Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;5(1)
Obituary Douglas
medical services at the 16th World Jamboree held in Sydney. In 1992, he became a Member of the Order of Australia, particularly for service to medicine and youth.
Kevin
Baird
always sacrificing more of his valuable time to attend their concerts, their presentations and their speech nights. His devotion to his wife of 28 years, Phillippa, could not be overstated.
He was a dedicated gardener who delighted in his camellias, winning 20 First Prizes in garden shows. A bowl of his most beautiful specimens was a common sight in the office. The delicate nature of the blooms he grew and displayed seemed a fitting reflection of the delicate skills he demonstrated in the operating room and in his care of patients, staff and colleagues alike.
And so his final illness was to shatter a potential just beginning to be realised. So rapid was his passing that we seemed to have to little time to say much by way of thanks. But our gratitude will live on as his family, friends, patients and colleagues remain committed to his principles, ideals and vision.
His staff developed an intense loyalty to this great man, which was rewarded with respect, friendship and genuine fatherly concern.
He is survived by his mother, Gwen, wife Phillippa, twin sons, Richard and Mark, and daughters, Jane and @ The Weekend Australian Louise.
Those of us who worked with him on a daily basis knew we were in the presence of greatness and yet he made us feel our ideas were worth listening to. His family, of course, knew the real greatness of the man. He was always intimately interested in the details of his children’s studies, their friends and their interests,
Clifford Hughes Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, Australia
E.V. LoveIl& A Division of Cobe Laboratories TGA Licence No. 44242 Australia’s
leading
customised
cardiovascular
and Kardia
Module
ICU requirements, drawing
Contract
Ltd
Pty
in the manufacture/assembly perfusion
sets. Monitoring cardiovascular
circuitry,
of
cardioplegia
kits for cardiovascular, flush sets. Customised
Acad
specifications.
Manufacturers/packers hospital
supplier
Co.
of pre-sterilised
and custom designed
and medical supplies. packaging.
E.V. Love11 & Co.
(~.~.~.006~9861)
43 Titan Drive Carrum Downs, Victoria,
3201, Australia
Telephone:
613 9775 1720)
03 9775 1720 (International:
Facsimile: 03 9775 1410 (International:
61 3 9775 1410)
48
J Thorac
Cardiovasc
Surg 1996;5(1)
Douglas Kevin Baird, AM, BSc(Med), MBBS, FRACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon 20 June 1940 -
FACS, FACC
16 November 1995
the principles of mutual respect, cooperation and partnership. He did not hold to untenable anachronisms of egotism and infallibility, nor did he promote the vain glories of “prima donnas”. With dedication to his patients and the patients of his colleagues, Baird founded an enduring testament to his skills of leadership and surgery, and to his ability to bring out the best in others.
ne of the great contributions to Australian medicine was cut short when Douglas Kevin Baird died in his beloved Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after a short struggle with cancer. An only child, he was educated at Cleveland Street High School before studying medicine at the University of Sydney. He undertook a BSc in Medicine, which he completed with Honours. He completed his studies in 1966, having gained seven prizes or scholarships, including the University Medal.
0
He believed that surgical outcomes must be measured and continually improved. To that end, he established an extraordinarily complex database on all patients undergoing heart surgery at the hospital and was instrumental in the development of the National Registry of Cardiac Surgery compiled by the National Heart Foundation.
It was during his time at the University of Sydney that he first demonstrated his capacity to lead and an enormous commitment to both his colleagues and the community. He served the union, the Sydney University Medical Society and the Australian Medical Students Association. He commenced his medical internship at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) and developed an immediate and deep attachment to that hospital, which always remained. He quickly became interested in cardiothoracic surgery. While a trainee, he joined the third Australian Surgical Team to Vung Tau in the Republic of South Vietnam, where he served with great distinction. He then returned to RPAH to complete his studies for the diploma of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, which was awarded in 1971.
He was devoted to his patients. Each received individual attention on the daily ward round, and all were reassured by his understated smile as he listened to their problems. In the operating room he would devote himself totally to the task at hand and, with great calmness and patience, perform the most intricate surgery for as long as was necessary. He saw his patients as friends, and many such encounters were to become lifelong friendships. His keen intellect combined with his natural diplomacy made him an able administrator. He contributed enormously to the administration of the hospital and the Central Sydney Area Health Service, chairing the boards of both organisations.
Thereafter he was appointed a senior registrar to the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, where he developed an abiding interest in the electrical conduction system of the heart. From New Zealand he was to travel to the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with a Clinical Fellowship of the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
He was recognised internationally for his expertise in administration and was appointed as adviser to the governments of both Singapore and Malaysia. He was involved in the development of surgical training through the RACS and, for six years, was chairman of the Board of Studies in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
In 1974, he returned to Australia to take up a post as a Visiting Medical Officer in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the RPAH. In 1979, he became head of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit and, with his colleagues, established a unique ‘surgical practice in Australia. It was founded on
His community service extended outside the health area to the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve, where he rose to the rank of Group Captain. He was particularly interested in the Scouting Association of Australia and served as director of
47
Asia Pacific .I Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;5(1)
Obituary Douglas
medical services at the 16th World Jamboree held in Sydney. In 1992, he became a Member of the Order of Australia, particularly for service to medicine and youth.
Kevin
Baird
always sacrificing more of his valuable time to attend their concerts, their presentations and their speech nights. His devotion to his wife of 28 years, Phillippa, could not be overstated.
He was a dedicated gardener who delighted in his camellias, winning 20 First Prizes in garden shows. A bowl of his most beautiful specimens was a common sight in the office. The delicate nature of the blooms he grew and displayed seemed a fitting reflection of the delicate skills he demonstrated in the operating room and in his care of patients, staff and colleagues alike.
And so his final illness was to shatter a potential just beginning to be realised. So rapid was his passing that we seemed to have to little time to say much by way of thanks. But our gratitude will live on as his family, friends, patients and colleagues remain committed to his principles, ideals and vision.
His staff developed an intense loyalty to this great man, which was rewarded with respect, friendship and genuine fatherly concern.
He is survived by his mother, Gwen, wife Phillippa, twin sons, Richard and Mark, and daughters, Jane and @ The Weekend Australian Louise.
Those of us who worked with him on a daily basis knew we were in the presence of greatness and yet he made us feel our ideas were worth listening to. His family, of course, knew the real greatness of the man. He was always intimately interested in the details of his children’s studies, their friends and their interests,
Clifford Hughes Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, Australia
E.V. LoveIl& A Division of Cobe Laboratories TGA Licence No. 44242 Australia’s
leading
customised
cardiovascular
and Kardia
Module
ICU requirements, drawing
Contract
Ltd
Pty
in the manufacture/assembly perfusion
sets. Monitoring cardiovascular
circuitry,
of
cardioplegia
kits for cardiovascular, flush sets. Customised
Acad
specifications.
Manufacturers/packers hospital
supplier
Co.
of pre-sterilised
and custom designed
and medical supplies. packaging.
E.V. Love11 & Co.
(~.~.~.006~9861)
43 Titan Drive Carrum Downs, Victoria,
3201, Australia
Telephone:
613 9775 1720)
03 9775 1720 (International:
Facsimile: 03 9775 1410 (International:
61 3 9775 1410)
48