I graduated MBBS, University of Ceylon, Colombo in 1971. I completed a Sri Lankan internship at the General Hospital and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo in 1972. In 1973, I was an intern in Australia at the Preston and Northcote Community Hospital, Victoria. In 1974 and 1975, I did my RACP basic physician training at the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg, Victoria.

From 1976-78, I was a Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Advanced Trainee in General Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital, Victoria. One of my mentors was the late Dr Maurice Clarke, the President of the RACP at that time. He instilled in me the notion that all specialist physicians must also be general physicians in clinical practice.

In 1979, I was appointed to the position of Consultant Geriatrician in Geriatric Medicine at Mount Royal Hospital, Parkville, Victoria. I continued to work at St Vincent’s Hospital as an Honorary General Physician for ten years. In 1991, I became a Consultant Geriatrician at Sunshine Hospital, Footscray Hospital and The Williamstown Hospital (Western Health). I am also a Consultant Geriatrician at Werribee Mercy Hospital.

I find working in the western suburbs of Melbourne, a rapidly growing area, very rewarding. The population of 750,000 includes many who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The patients who present to Western Health’s hospital and community services are culturally and linguistically diverse. I feel privileged to work in such a region as a physician who is interested in holistic, patient-centred care, both in the hospital and in the home.

In 1996, I took study leave to specialise in continence and urodynamics as part of my RACP Continuing Professional Development plan. This inspired me to establish the Western Continence Service at Western Health. This is now a very well-established service that collaborates with the Urology, Uro-gynaecology and Colorectal Departments at Western Health.

Currently, my main commitment at Western Health is Consultant in one of two Acute Aged Care Units at Sunshine Hospital which receives patients from the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department, in parallel with General Internal Medicine Units. There are 12 accredited Advanced Trainees of the RACP in Geriatric Medicine at Western Health.

I have enjoyed every minute of my work as a clinician and mentor and will continue to work in the foreseeable future.