A First for 9920 District Vocational Visit to the University of Auckland’s New Medical School

To mark October as Vocational Month, a visit was organised to the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences new facility. The visit was well supported with 60 Rotarians representing 12 Auckland-based clubs attending.

The Faculty provided refreshments on arrival. Rotarians were welcomed by the Dean Professor John Fraser and External Relations Manager Tim Greene. Professor of Oncology Michael Finlay and Professor of Optometry and Vision Science Paul Donaldson from the Faculty were the tour guides.

Professor Finlay, Director of Cancer Trials NZ, has worked closely with the Newmarket Rotary Charitable Foundation to establish an Oncology award which allows a clinician to spend time in the cancer research laboratory.

Highlight of the visit was the tour of the Medical Sciences Learning Centre. This Learning Centre is a purpose built and architecturally designed facility for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education in anatomy, radiology and pathology.

The Learning Centre combines the Medical School’s anatomy and pathology museums.  It contains a wide range of anatomical models and specimens covering all body systems, over 1100 pathology specimens, and an extensive on-line radiology and pathology image database. The forensic collection was fascinating but macabre!

Following the tour, a question and answer session was held in one of the new lecture theatres. Judging by the number of questions answered by Professors Fraser, Finlay and Donaldson; Rotarians found the visit both interesting and educational, as well as a great opportunity to network and share ideas.

- From Brian McMath, District 9920 Vocational Committee Chair