Introducing Geoff McColl

As a relatively recent arrival at UQ and to Brisbane I remain fascinated by the rich history of the Faculty of Medicine. This, of course, has been fuelled by the mandatory reading of the Mayne Inheritance by Rosamond Siemon, my engagement with Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History and the planning for the refurbishment of the Mayne Medical Building.  All of this has left me hungry for a greater understanding of the Faculty of Medicine and its place in Queensland and Australian history.  In this context I believe it is critical to invest in our shared understanding of history in particular through supporting the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History.

The writer and philosopher George Santayana is thought to be the origin of the often quoted statement “those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it”.  Health and medicine are not immune from this view that an understanding of the past assists in managing the problems of the present.  Attention to the written and verbal history of the Faculty of Medicine and its objects is therefore important in ensuring we base our forward strategy on what we have learned from the past.

Early in my tenure as the Executive Dean I was introduced to the diligent and enthusiastic Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History volunteers.  This group of engaged and loyal folk have maintained an important collection which is rich and deep.  Although their work has been outstanding they have received little support from the Faculty.  Before Christmas I asked a close colleague from the Melbourne Medical History Museum, Jacky Healy, to review the objects of the museum and provide me with some suggestions about how we might grow its influence and impact.  Her report was extremely positive and flagged a series of steps for us to take over the next six to twelve months.  This advice arrives at a time when we have commenced the refurbishment of the Mayne Medical Building which provides further opportunities.

I hope, therefore, that over the next few years we can build on the outstanding asset of the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History to engage a wider audience and act as a focal point for the Faculty.  To conclude, I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the volunteers of the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History and thank them for the efforts. 

 


For more stories from across the Faculty of Medicine, visit MayneStream, our content hub.