AMAV VICDOC SUMMER 2023 - Magazine - Page 75
Above all Joe was a doctor. He cared passionately
about people – each individual’s real-world struggles,
their fears, their pain, and their hopes. In particular,
he would spend time and really listen to them.
—
Joe was a skilled influencer, but not in the social
media sense. He used his charm, charisma and sharp
intellect to open doors and inform and persuade
those in positions of power on both local and
national issues. His intellectual agility, precise use
of language and careful preparation rarely saw him
leave such meetings without progressing his cause.
Joe prided himself on his use of language and
the power of individual words. In the early stages
of emergency medicine’s development, the word
“casualty” was one of his pet hates. Unlike the UK
College, in Australasia, the correct description of our
work prevailed in the nomenclature. He also fought
long and hard to make ACEM a college (and later
IFEM) “for” emergency medicine (for advocacy)
rather than “of.”
Joe’s concern for First Nations people, particularly
expressed through the ACEM Foundation, has
contributed to significant increases in awareness
of health inequity in emergency care and efforts to
increase the number of emergency clinicians of
First Nations heritage.
In addition to his work at state and national
levels, Joe was an inspirational local leader and
mentor at Footscray Hospital (and its later
incarnation Western Health). For many years, the
west of Melbourne was neglected. Its people were
poor, working class, immigrants and of little political
‘value’. They also had high rates of chronic and
preventable illness and workplace injuries. Joe
was a champion for them and stayed with them
despite attractive career opportunities at larger,
more prestigious hospitals. He advocated for a
greater share of health funding and more and
better hospitals and services so that specialist
care could be delivered where people lived.
At Footscray Hospital, Joe was a long serving ED
director and senior clinician. More importantly, he
established Western Health as a leader of emergency
medicine practice and education for both doctors and
nurses and nurtured the diverse and dedicated team
who work there. His mentorship has led to Western
Health trained clinicians taking up senior leadership
positions throughout the health system, carrying on
his legacy of providing the best care for all, no matter
what their personal circumstances. We are but two
among them.
Joe was a staunch believer that quality of care
and research were inextricably linked. He influenced
young emergency physicians and the College to foster
research to improve patient care. It is no accident
that there is a Joseph Epstein Centre for Emergency
Medicine Research. He also believed that to work
effectively with, and influence, other specialist groups
emergency medicine had to establish academic
credibility through research. The Centre carries on
Joe’s philosophy of rigorous inquiry and change driven
by evidence.
Above all Joe was a doctor. He cared passionately
about people – each individual’s real-world struggles,
their fears, their pain, and their hopes. In particular, he
would spend time and really listen to them. All those
who worked with him, know of a time when he went
above and beyond. For example, one holiday period he
found a place in detox for a young man whose father
had brought him to ED distraught and not knowing
what else to do. Then, after his shift he drove the
young man there and saw him settled and safe.
Emergency medicine flowed through Joe’s veins.
His passion and energy for emergency medicine as
a specialty for doctors and nurses and his care and
advocacy for his patients were second to none.
Personally, for both of us, he was an exceptional
mentor and friend. There will never be another Joe.
—
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