Hospital icon to enjoy some down time

ONE of Townsville Hospital’s legends of anaesthetics has retired after more than 40 years treating the North’s patients.

Dr Vic Callanan ( left) retired as a staff specialist on Friday, having stepped down as director of the anaesthetics department four years ago.

Dr Callanan said it was bittersweet leaving a job and workplace he loved but he and wife Doreen had earned some time together after a long career.

“I have many wonderful memories and am proud to have worked in a … department where there is great collegiality, camaraderie and professional respect,” he said.

Director of anaesthetics Dr Chris Butler said Dr Callanan was retiring in a class of his own.

“Vic has been an inspirational leader and visionary and he is the reason I’m an anaesthetist,” he said.

“The example Vic has set for the whole department pervades from the top down and is a very tough act to follow.”

In his 40 years at the Townsville Hospital, Dr Callanan was responsible for the development of the hospital’s intensive care, hyperbaric and pain medicine services as well as today’s anaesthetics department.

Dr Callanan was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2005, was awarded the Australian Resuscitation Council Medal in 2011 and the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists ( ANZCA) Medal in 2013 for his contribution to the status of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.