SURGEON Neil Bright has been hailed a “true servant of the public” whose “lasting legacy” will be the opportunities he gave young doctors.
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The Albury medico died at the weekend after having battled cancer.
Albury Wodonga Health chairwoman Nicki Melville, who first met Dr Bright in 2000 when they were members of a cross border cancer collaborative forum, lauded him effusively.
“I don’t think we’ll see the likes of him again, he was such a true servant of the public – day or night he would be there,” Ms Melville said.
“He was an amazing contributor to public health as well as being a well respected private surgeon.”
Dr Bright’s most recent high-profile role had been as the head of the University of NSW’s rural medical school on the campus of the Albury public hospital.
“Neil was really passionate about teaching, by the time he finished up he would have seen hundreds and hundreds of junior doctors, mentored them and set them on a pathway,” Ms Melville said.
Among those who benefited from Dr Bright’s tuition was hospital doctor and Albury deputy mayor Amanda Cohn.
I had the privilege of being taught and mentored by Neil Bright as a medical student at the UNSW Albury Rural Clinical School,” Dr Cohn said.
“I remember him as a patient and insightful teacher who showed the same outstanding compassion for his students as he did his patients.
“His tireless efforts to advocate for medical education in our region were remarkable, and he showed his passion and energy for this cause even during his illness this year.
“The opportunities he has created for junior doctors locally will be his lasting legacy, benefitting the health and wellbeing of our community into the future.”
Dr Bright moved to Albury from Melbourne in 1991 as a general surgeon after training in Melbourne and working in London.
In 2011, in addition to focusing on breast, endocrine and gastrointestinal surgery, Dr Bright was the director of surgical services at Albury Wodonga Health.
At that time he wrote a letter to The Border Mail telling of “chronic under-investment and neglect by federal and state governments of all persuasions” in the region’s medical system.
Dr Bright helped drive improvements to cancer services on the Border and also served Yarrawonga Health for 22 years.
He was appointed head of the medical school in 2015 and continued in that role until his death.
As recently as last Thursday, Dr Bright was at the school and helping guide students.
A requiem mass will be held for Dr Bright at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wodonga from 11am on Saturday.
