NAME: Walter Ross Thompson, AM
ANZCA PRESIDENT 2006 – 2008
QUALIFICATIONS:
MBBS (Western Australia) 1972
Diploma in Obstetrics (Auckland) 1974
FFARACS, 1978
Endorsed in Intensive Care, 1991
FANZCA, 1992 FFICANZCA, 1992
FJFICM, 2002 FAMM, 2006
FAMS, 2007 FCICM, 2010
DATE OF BIRTH: 30 December 1946
Born in Johannesburg in 1946, Walter Ross Thompson began his schooling in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1964, his family relocated to Perth, Western Australia where, upon completion of his formal schooling, studied medicine at the University of Western Australia, graduating MB BS in 1972. Thompson pursued a career in anaesthetics and intensive care, with special interests in neuroanaesthesia and medical education. He served as president of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, and later, as president of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
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Born in Johannesburg to Ethel Margaret Thompson and Walter Ross in December 1946. The family moved to Tanganyika in 1952, where his father worked as an upholsterer at the Mwadui Diamond Mine. Walter Ross Thompson commenced his schooling in Nairobi, Kenya. The family relocated to Perth, Western Australia in 1964, where he completed his formal schooling at Perth Modern School. He then attended the University of Western Australia, where he graduated from medicine, MB BS, in 1972. He immediately began working as a Junior Resident Officer at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he did terms in psychiatry, general surgery, casualty, and coronary care.
In 1973, Thompson was appointed Senior House Officer by the Auckland Hospital Board. This appointment saw him working in anaesthetics, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as neonatal paediatrics. His work took him between Auckland Hospital, Middlemore Hospital and the National Women’s Hospital.
The following year, he was appointed as Anaesthetic Registrar, which included six months at Middlemore Hospital, and six months at Auckland Hospital.
After two years in New Zealand, Thompson returned to Perth, to the position of Anaesthetic Registrar at the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). This position also included a specific work placement in the Intensive Care Unit both at RPH and, the following year, at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Dr Thompson completed his anaesthesia training at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, before moving again to University Hospital, London, Canada. The move to Canada enabled Thompson to work as a Clinical Fellow in neuroanaesthesia. This opportunity also introduced him to the Pain Clinic at the Victoria Hospital.
Returning to Perth in 1980, Thompson was appointed to the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. This was the beginning of a 21 year association with the hospital, which also saw him working at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands, and later also maintaining a private practice which opened in 1994.
In 1982, Thompson also added an academic element to his career, taking on the position of Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Anaesthesia at the University of Western Ontario for three months. In 1991, he took on a four month role as Visiting Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin, Hong Kong. He returned to Hong Kong as Visiting Professor in 1995 and has subsequently also been involved as an instructor with the Centre for Anaesthesia Simulation and Medical Skills and the Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre at the University of Western Australia.
Dr Thompson was actively involved with the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) both at a state and federal level from 1992 to 2000. His principal involvements centred on continuing medical education, research grants, governance and the editorial board of the ASA journal Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. He served as the president of the ASA from 1996-1998 and in 2009 was awarded life membership of the society.
Thompson took on leadership roles in anaesthetists’ training from 1990 when he was a member of the Panel of Examiners for the final exam. He continued this role as the Faculty of Anaesthetists transitioned into the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, as well as taking on a number of other roles, including inaugural chair of the Neurosurgical Anaesthesia Special Interest Group, chair of the combined ANZCA/ASA Continuing Education Committee, and a member of the Education and Training Committee. He was also involved with quality assurance, the General Examinations Committee and Finance and Audit Committee.
Thompson was elected to the ANZCA Council in 1998, and served there for 10 years. In 2006 he was elected ANZCA President. During this term of office, Thompson guided ANZCA through a time of both growth and consolidation.
Walter Thompson retired in 2012, and continues to live in Nedlands, Western Australia.
OTHER AWARDS & HONOURS
1986 ASA Gilbert Troup Award
1996 ASA Gilbert Troup Award
2006 Fellowship of Academy of Medicine Malaysia
2007 Fellowship of Academy of Medicine Singapore
2007 Life Membership of Australian Patient Safety Foundation
2008 Editorial Board of “Anaesthesia and Intensive Care” Citation
2008 Honorary Life Member, NZ Society of Anaesthetists
2009 Life Member, Australian Society of Anaesthetists
2011 Member of Order of Australia
2013 Emeritus Consultant, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
REFERENCES
The information in these biographies has been researched via the ANZCA Archives with the assistance of the individual Fellows.
IMAGE REFERENCES
- Walter Thompson (photograph), c2006