CEO's message

In the midst of the activity and excitement surrounding the redevelopment of the Children's and Mothers' Hospitals, we were also saddened by the passing of two highly esteemed and valued colleagues. Sister Patricia Reordan RSM was one of Mater's most loved Sisters of Mercy, and Professor Fung Yee Chan, who was the founding Director of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit at Mater Mothers' Hospital.

Both women were inspiring teachers and leaders. Sister Pat, as she was affectionately known, was for many years the senior scientist in haematology at Mater Adult Hospital Laboratory. Sr Pat's former staff remember her personality, her dependability, loyalty, cheery generosity, stringent standards of laboratory practice and her real interest in people—both patients and staff alike.

Prof Chan worked at Mater Mothers' Hospital for 14 years and was well recognised as a world leader in her field. She was the first person in Australia to perform keyhole laser surgery to treat Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). TTTS is a major complication of identical twin pregnancies where the blood from one twin is transfused to the other twin via abnormal blood vessels in the shared placenta. Due to her leadership, Mater continues to have an overall survival rate that matches the best in the world. Prof Chan was a much respected colleague, an international class clinical specialist practitioner and researcher and an inspiring teacher and friend.

We are eternally grateful for the strong foundations created by these leaders in their fields and look forward to continuing to build on their work.