David Simpson Cole

David Simpson Cole

David Simpson Cole, Dean of the Auckland School of Medicine, died on 8 September 2008, aged 84 years. David Cole was a natural leader. This was apparent throughout his life, in his student days at Otago University, as a cardiovascular surgeon at Greenlane Hospital, as Dean of Medicine, and in his retirement years he helped to develop the U3A (University of the Third Age) in New Zealand.

He was a gardener, a builder, an innovator, and dedicated but indifferent golfer.

Both David’s parents were medically trained. His father was a general surgeon and his mother Elizabeth was a health educator working with mothers and children.

David, developed an interest in medical research when he completed a BMedSc with Professor Jack Eccles at Otago Medical School. In 1948, as a member of the Student Council, he enthusiastically initiated the re-establishment of the Capping Concert and Procession in Dunedin.

While training to become a surgeon, he worked a year as a Demonstrator in Anatomy with Professor Bill Adams, in Otago. In 1955, he went to England to train in general surgery at Colchester Hospital. He then trained in Thoracic Surgery with Sir Russell Brock at The Brampton Hospital in London.

David returned to New Zealand to continue his training with Sir Douglas Robb and Rowan Nicks who had started thoracic surgery at Greenlane Hospital. At the same time Sir Brian Barrett Boyes returned home from the United States, very keen to start open heart surgery in Auckland. One of the six Melrose Heart and Lung machines made in London was adapted by Syd Yarrow for use in Auckland. Animal studies on sheep were undertaken to develop the techniques for human bypass surgery.

Fifty years ago the first open heart surgery was undertaken to close successfully a ventricular septal defect in a 9-year-old girl. Hundreds of successful bypass operations have since been performed at Greenlane Hospital. David had a particular interest in peripheral vascular surgery and developed several new techniques in this field.

The National Heart Foundation was established by a group of Auckland business men in 1958. David played a major role in the development of the educational programmes which were implemented by Sir David Hay, the first Medical Director of the Foundation.

In 1942, Americans on war service in the 39th General Hospital from Johns Hopkins Hospital held postgraduate medical education meetings with local physicians at Auckland Hospital. After the war, Sir Douglas Robb (Chancellor of the University of Auckland) proposed that a Postgraduate Medical Committee be created and David Cole was appointed Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

A Senate Medical Advisory Committee was established in 1964 to develop the School of Medicine in Auckland. David Cole was an active member of this committee developing the curriculum and policies for the new Medical School. Professor Cecil Lewis was appointed the first Dean at the Auckland School of Medicine in December 1966. Over the next 6 years David Cole established many postgraduate courses. In 1974, he was appointed Dean of the School of Medicine.

As Dean, David led the School for 15 years through a period of great growth. The annual student intake grew from 60 to 120 students, and the teaching programme expanded to include the new academic units at Greenlane Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and later Waikato Hospital. Many new academic appointments were made in orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, opthalmology, geriatrics, and general practice funded by private donations.

David Cole was a gifted teacher who enjoyed sharing his thoughts both in lectures and informal talks. He retained his interest in clinical bedside teaching, and introduced new methods for evaluating student competence which are still used today. During his time as Dean, undergraduate education was refined to include a graduate trainee year where senior students were directly responsible for patient care. This was a great success and was adopted by the Otago Medical School. Under his leadership the Auckland School of Medicine matured into a well-funded research-based institution.

David Cole was an active member of the Medical Council, he was a prolific writer, and developed medical standards for monitoring clinical performance and processes for working with practitioners failing to meet the standards required for safe clinical practice.

In his retirement David Cole as Emeritus Professor maintained a keen interest in the Auckland School of Medicine as it expanded into the School of Health Sciences. He is remembered with warmth by both staff and graduates.

But David Cole was much more than a medical leader, he was the loved husband of Margaret and valued father of his five children. Above all, David enjoyed his family life, spending time at Anawata their holiday home on the wild West Coast above Piha.

He had a rich life with his extended family and many friends. David Simpson Cole leaves a wonderful legacy. David we salute your passion for life, your enthusiasm, your wide range of interests, and the way you have enriched our lives.

Professor Derek North and Dr Gavin Glasgow wrote this obituary.

Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 07-November-2008, Vol 121 No 1285