3 days ago
Honorary degrees awarded
It has probably been a long time since David Gerrard felt like a fish out of water.
If the 1964 Olympian and 1966 Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist was feeling out of his depth yesterday, at an event to honour the University of Otago Medical School's leading medical graduates, the 80-year-old hid it well.
After his successful swimming career, he gained a medical degree at Otago in 1977 and went on to become a sports medicine specialist, attending many Olympic Games as the New Zealand team doctor, chef-de-mission and medical commissioner, and three Rugby World Cups as the anti-doping commissioner.
His published research in sports medicine and science has made an impact nationally and internationally, particularly in the area of anti-doping. He remains a consultant to several international medical committees.
Yesterday, the emeritus professor was one of four leading medical graduates from the University of Otago to be awarded an honorary doctor of science, as part of the Otago Medical School 150th anniversary celebrations this weekend.
He was humble about the honorary degree, and said it was not just a celebration of his personal journey, but rather a reflection of the foundation provided by the university in shaping who he is today.
"I was fortunate to have been part of an inspiring academic community for over 40 years as an undergraduate, clinician and academic.
"Mentors, peers and colleagues shaped my time at Otago, and in return, I trust I was able to share these values with students I was fortunate enough to work with and learn from.
"I'm proud to be counted among the university's distinguished alumni."
The other leading alumni to receive the honorary degree were Dame Margaret Sparrow, Prof Dinah Reddihough and Associate Prof Jioji Malani.
Dame Margaret made extraordinary contributions to sexual and reproductive health throughout her career as a family planning educator and reproductive rights advocate.
She pioneered contraception and abortion services for students and vasectomies for men, and was one of the first doctors to prescribe the emergency contraceptive pill and successfully campaigned for the introduction of legal and safe abortions in New Zealand.
She was honoured by yesterday's acknowledgement.
"Although in the 1950s and '60s there was inadequate education in sexual health, especially in the topics of contraception and abortion, the good basic training that I did receive enabled me to pursue a rewarding career in sexual and reproductive health," she said.
Paediatrics Prof Reddihough is a leader in advancing knowledge about physical disability in childhood, and her work addresses the health and social inequities of young people with cerebral palsy.
For her, the honorary degree was an unexpected privilege.
"My work has been made possible because of my partnerships with many wonderful professionals over my career, and more especially with people with lived experience of disability, especially cerebral palsy, and their families who have inspired and encouraged me to do my best.
"I have treasured memories of my student days, the various teachers and lecturers, my classmates and the campus of which I was a part."
Assoc Prof Malani is a leading specialist in internal medicine and advocates for those with kidney disease, particularly in the Pacific region.
He established Fiji's kidney dialysis unit and assisted in a world-class gastroenterology programme that has revolutionised the approach and treatment of gastroenterological conditions.
The former University of Hawai'i clinical professor helped train 70 physicians for the Northern Pacific and establish what is believed to be the first postgraduate medical training programme in the Pacific region.
He said it was "a profound honour" to be acknowledged by an institution he holds in such high regard.
"My journey at the University of Otago as a medical student has been nothing short of transformative.
"The university's commitment to excellence is evident in both its academic offerings and the invaluable life skills it imparts."
