Leading Western Australian neurosurgeon Professor Bryant Stokes has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Curtin University.
Professor Bryant, AM, a leader in the healthcare field in Australia for nearly 50 years, received the award at Curtin’s graduation ceremony this week.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the Honorary Doctorate of Science recognised Professor Stokes’ distinguished contribution to the WA healthcare in the fields of surgical, clinical care and public health policy.
“Professor Stokes has worked tirelessly to improve the safety, standard and access to healthcare for rural and remote Australians, and has led the development of national and State healthcare policy to improve the safety and quality of patient care in all Australian hospitals,” Professor Hacket said.
“His contributions have led to significant improvements the health system, and to the health and safety of the community. He has also forged strong strategic alliances between government, policy makers and healthcare professionals to reform the healthcare system in WA.”
Professor Bryant said he was very pleased to be awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Science.
“I am very pleased and very humbled at being so honoured,” Professor Bryant said.
Professor Stokes served as Chief Medical Officer at the WA Department of Health, working as a clinical neurosurgeon, and has directed the WA Health Neurosciences and the Neurosciences Health Network. He has also fostered the establishment of strong partnerships and links between primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
Professor Bryant served as the Commissioner of Health at the WA Department of Health in 2001, a time of significant structural reform to the WA health system.
He was Chairman of the Western Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Healthcare since its inception in August 2002 to 2009, has served on Medical Board of WA for more than a decade and was a member of the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Healthcare between 2000 and 2005.
Professor Stokes remains actively involved in neurosciences research and the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
In 2001 Professor Stokes was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the field of medicine.
Contacts:
Denise Cahill, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 1931, Mobile: 0401 103 683, Email: d.cahill@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
