Celebrating Susan Dorney, AM

STUART DORNEY Husband Old Scholar, Susan Dorney (1970), completed her St Peters journey as joint Dux of the College. She went on to study medicine at The University of Queensland, followed by her residency and then registrar training in anatomical pathology. Having obtained her fellowship (FRCPA) in Pathology in 1983, Susan undertook an 18-month fellowship in Paediatric Pathology at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, California. When Susan and her family returned to Sydney in 1985, she worked part-time for the next few years at the Royal Hospital for Women and later the Sydney Children’s Hospital where she continued to develop her expertise in perinatal and paediatric pathology. In November 1994 Susan was appointed as Staff Specialist in Anatomical Pathology at the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children, Camperdown, later known as the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Susan’s practice was in paediatric pathology which included some perinatal pathology which gradually increased due to the service and expertise. She was instrumental in setting up a comprehensive centralised state-wide Perinatal Pathology service for NSW with dedicated centres with expert pathologists. In addition to her clinical work, Susan spent many years in administration as Head of the Department of Anatomical Pathology, Director of Pathology and Chair of Diagnostics Services at the hospital along with serving on many local and international committees strongly advocating for perinatal services and families at the state level. Susan has always strongly advocated for children and their families particularly those suffering perinatal loss as she firmly believes that they deserve a definitive answer, a compassionate path and for those wanting more children, a plan for the future. She is still committed to working on projects and committees as she looks to retirement with her husband, children and grandchildren. Susan has been awarded an Australia Medal (AM) this year for her outstanding work and contributions.