Top medico takes lead
World-class Cairns surgeon’s big promotion at hospital
A LEADING Far North orthopaedic surgeon and regional health-care advocate has become the new medical director at Cairns Private Hospital (CPH).
On the same day he was sworn in as the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) president, Associate Professor Chris Morrey, who has worked at the CPH for two decades, was also appointed as the hospital’s medical director.
“I thought that my experience and being a member of the local medical committee would make me a good person for the job of medical director,” he said.
“I want to use my medical training and experience to be the liaison between the hospital and local surgeons and specialists, so together we can show the people of Cairns and surrounding areas that we have a leading, tertiary-led service right here, that people don’t need to travel far to access.”
Assoc Prof Morrey said CPH, “is a great place to work”.
“We’ve got a good crew, we’ve got a very good culture and very good teaching program,” he said.
“We have a hospital that people want to work in.”
Assoc Prof Morrey’s experience includes completing fellowships in the UK and Italy.
“I’ve spent 20 years travelling the world teaching other doctors about orthopaedic trauma techniques,” he said.
“But I really want to show younger doctors the benefits of working in regional areas,” he said.
Assoc Prof Morrey has worked with Dr Arvind Puri, and the Queensland branch of the AOA to establish a FNQ rotating orthopaedics training program to start in 2023.
The program will see orthopaedics trainees from Brisbane spend two years working between Cairns and another regional town before returning to Brisbane to finalise their training.
Assoc Prof Morrey and Dr Puri also created a local program where orthopaedic registrars visit local high schools to promote the profession as a career option.
CPH chief executive, Ben Tooth, said local doctors, patients and medical students will all benefit from Assoc Prof Morrey’s new role.
“As a passionate advocate for regional health care, I know he will work diligently to ensure the best outcomes and experiences for our patients.”