Life governor awards recognise and honour people whose service and personal contributions have resulted in significant benefit to ERH.
ERH board chairperson Stacy Williams announced the governorships were to be presented to Dr Bala Kumar Pillai and Chris Turner, two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to ERH and the Echuca-Moama community.
Before his recent retirement, Dr Pillai provided obstetrics and gynaecology services for more than 38 years, in addition to providing a service at ERH’s Echuca Primary Care Pharmacotherapy Clinic.
He also served as a general practitioner and partner at Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice.
During his time at ERH, Dr Pillai was also actively involved in teaching junior medical staff and University of Melbourne medical students.
Ms Williams said that Dr Pillai’s dedication to patient care and his support for rural generalist training was always highly valued.
“Dr Pillai made considerable effort to attract young doctors into the rural community, actively engaging in the mentoring of younger general practitioners and students at all levels,” Ms Williams said.
Pharmacist Chris Turner was employed at ERH from early 1980 until his retirement this year.
In his early years at ERH, Mr Turner was involved in hospital teaching programs, discussion groups and answering day-to-day medication questions from patients and the community.
Mr Turner was also instrumental in the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing system and was integral in helping ERH be one of the first hospitals to have electronic medication charts.
“Chris has always been highly regarded by his ERH peers, and he developed relationships that transcended the Health Service,” Ms Williams said.
“Chris’ connections to the Echuca-Moama community and his commitment to ERH over the past 44 years is to be commended.”
ERH congratulates Dr Pillai and Mr Turner on these wonderful accomplishments.
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