It is with great sadness that we learnt of Katherine’s passing on December 8th.
Dr Katherine Edyvane, a valued member of the SWB team and an Executive Board Member, travelled to Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Malawi between 2010 and 2012. She has made an incredible contribution to our organisation through sharing her vast knowledge about sustainable approaches to medical development. Those involved in SWB hold Katherine in highest esteem and are incredibly grateful for the contribution she has made and the friendships that have been formed.
Katherine had an extensive background in medical education in developing countries, especially Timor-Leste where she has played a pivotal role in the lives of junior surgical staff. Last month Dr Edyvane was the deserving recipient of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons International Medal in recognition of her longstanding dedication to health development in limited resource settings.
We are currently finalising an appropriate way to celebrate the contribution that Katherine has made to SWB. While we know that no gesture will come close to expressing the sense of gratitude we feel or reflect the inspirational effect that Katherine has made in the lives of so many, we hope that it will embody Katherine’s strong sense of social justice and a commitment to the sharing of knowledge and skills. It seems fitting that Katherine’s legacy will live on through facilitating the growth and development of other doctors through learning first hand, the realities of health care provision in challenging environments.
Our thoughts are with Katherine’s family and friends.
The media release associated with the RACS International Medal can be found here