Celebrating 125 years of medical history

The University of Adelaide's greatest medical graduate, Lord Howard Florey.
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The first graduates of the University of Adelaide's medical school in 1889.

Laura Fowler (2nd from left), who was the first woman to graduate from the Medical School (in 1891) and was Australia's first female surgeon.
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Monday, 24 May 2010

More than 125 years of medical history at the University of Adelaide will go on display at the Barr Smith Library this Wednesday 26 May.

The historical exhibition will showcase an impressive list of groundbreaking medical discoveries and achievements at the University since the formation of its medical programs in 1885.

It is the first event in a year-long program of Medicine 125th Anniversary Celebrations at the University of Adelaide in 2010.

Among the exhibits will be photos and information on Nobel Laureate Lord Howard Florey, a 1921 medical graduate whose role in the development of penicillin as the world's first antibiotic has saved an estimated 80 million lives.

Other prominent medical alumni who will be featured in the exhibition include Australia's first female surgeon, Laura Fowler; Helen Mayo, a pioneer in women's and children's health in Australia; Dr Basil Hetzel, who is renowned for his work in iodine deficiency; and Sir Hugh Cairns, a world-class neurosurgeon and instigator of the motorcycle helmet.

The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Justin Beilby, will launch the exhibition at the University's Barr Smith Library this Wednesday at 5.30pm as part of SA History Week.

"The University's 5800 medical graduates and staff have made an enormous contribution to society at large over the past 125 years," Professor Beilby says.

"Our graduates practise widely across Australia, South-East Asia and the rest of the world, and I have no doubt that the vast majority of South Australians have, at some time in their lives, received medical care from someone who has studied or worked at the University of Adelaide."

The free exhibition is open to the public and will run from 26 May to 4 September 2010.

This year marks a series of milestones for the University's health programs, including the 125th anniversary of the Medical School, the Dental School's 90th birthday and 15 years of teaching within the Discipline of Nursing.

WHAT: Medicine 125th Historical Exhibition: "From Audacious Outpost to International Impact: 125 years of excellence in medical education"
WHERE: Barr Smith Library, North Terrace, University of Adelaide
WHEN: 26 May-4 September 2010

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