The “Quiet Achiever” and the Road to the RANZCR Board

2022 Roentgen Medallist A/Prof Brigid Hickey

The College’s Roentgen Medal honours Fellows who have made a very valuable contribution to the affairs of the College over a significant period. In 2022, A/Prof Brigid Hickey, nominated by her peers, is the deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Brigid Hickey attended the University of Queensland, graduated in 1986 and completed postgraduate training in Brisbane. She became a RANZCR Fellow in 1997 and today is Acting Director, Radiation Oncology at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Brigid’s volunteering journey with the College began nearly two decades ago in 2003, and she has been a committee member, Chair, Faculty of Radiation Oncology Councillor or Board Director continuously since. Some of Brigid’s most notable achievements during this time include:

• developing the first Tripartite Plan as Chair of the Tripartite Committee (now the Radiation Oncology Alliance), which is the formal radiation oncology alliance of RANZCR, ASMIRT and ACPSEM

• fostering her passion for post-Fellowship education to lead the FRO’s Post Fellowship Education Committee and Annual Scientific Meeting Management Committee

• playing an important role in reorganising the JP Trainor Trust Archives Committee to ensure this important link to the College’s past is in very good standing

• helping to steer the College through the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic as Board member, Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Although she has been described as a “quiet achiever” by her peers, Brigid’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Past President Dr Lance Lawler says,

Brigid is one of those rare 'think before you speak' individuals who always deeply considers the issues before weighing in, and as a result frequently ends up making the most significant contribution to any decision. Never one to blow her own trumpet, Brigid often described herself as 'an imposter'; in reality all she was doing was defining her innate humility, and humanity, and underlining her suitability to serve.

Dr Tanya Holt, who has known Brigid as a training supervisor, colleague and mentor commented, “Through mentorship and altruism, she has inspired me to follow her lead and be heavily involved in the College…. It is only with such positive role models that the College is able to function and have so many Fellows volunteering their time”.

This is a sentiment that Brigid herself echoed when we caught up with her at our recent Annual Scientific Meeting (in between answering questions at the AGM and officially receiving her Roentgen Medal at the College’s Annual Ceremony). “I would never have stepped forward had I not been encouraged by colleagues. You always think you are not ready but it is in the doing that you learn most.”