The class of 85

Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Neil Westphalen about his life from childhood in Belair, through a difficult medical training and intern year, to a long and varied career as a Navy medical officer and occupational physician.Neil reflects on sea deployments, clinical and staff roles, professional qualifications, family life and loss, and his later work researching naval health — a story of resilience, service and ongoing purpose.

Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Andrew Lavender about his upbringing in Adelaide, training and practice in anaesthesia across Australia, the UK and Ireland, and his return to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.The conversation covers a life-changing car accident, his role in hospital and medical politics, work with Doctors' Health SA, and reflections on advances in critical care and patient safety.

Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Jon Hodge about his childhood on a farm, boarding school years, six years of medical training, and the decision to join the Army. The episode traces his clinical and administrative career, overseas deployments to Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan, roles in aviation and occupational medicine, and work in public hospitals and medical education. Jon also discusses his experiences with voluntary assisted dying, reflections on burnout and career choices, and his plans for the future, including hopes to be involved with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Dr Ken Pittman joins Kevin Patterson to trace his life from a 1960s Adelaide childhood through medical training and a long career in oncology. He recounts early influences, internships at the Royal Adelaide, research in Leeds on circulating tumour cells, and building cancer services in Brisbane and Adelaide.The episode covers clinical work in public and private practice, involvement in trials and stem cell programs, memorable clinical anecdotes, and reflections on how treatments, supportive care and immunotherapies transformed cancer care. Ken closes with thoughts on teaching, retirement plans and the future of oncology in South Australia.

Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Andreas Christodoulidis about his childhood in Famagusta, the 1974 invasion, migrating to Adelaide, and overcoming language and cultural challenges to study medicine. Andreas recounts his surgical training across New Zealand, the UK and the US, 14 years of service in Limassol, and extensive humanitarian work in Nepal, Mongolia and the Philippines. He reflects on influential mentors, memorable cases, and his ongoing commitment to patient care and surgery.

Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Garry Davis about his life from a sports-filled childhood in Adelaide to medical school with the Class of 1985, and his distinguished career in ophthalmology. The episode covers his early sporting ambitions, medical training, the shift into ophthalmology and oculoplastics, major advances in eye care (including cataract techniques, OCT imaging and anti-VEGF treatments), and extensive outreach work in Indigenous and international communities. Dr Davis also reflects on mentorship, family life, memorable exam anecdotes, and his plans for retirement and future pursuits.

In this episode of Kevi's Cancer Chronicles, Professor Bogda Koczwara shares her journey from rural Poland to becoming a leading figure in Australian cancer care and survivorship. She discusses her medical training, international experience at Roswell Park, the creation and growth of oncology services at Flinders Medical Centre, and her national advocacy work with MOGA and COSA. Professor Koczwara also explains the origins of the ACCORD research workshop, the development of nurse-led survivorship care, and her current role directing the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship at UNSW.

Dr Vicki Bennett, a University of Adelaide graduate from the Class of ’85, reflects on a life that moved from Newcastle and Stockton to rural and Aboriginal health work in Port Hedland and Kakadu. She recalls a brutal intern year, emergency evacuations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and long-term work in urban Aboriginal health and youth mental health in Adelaide. Alongside medicine, Vicki recounts her musical career—songwriting, recording with The Standard Deviations, and a cappella bedside singing for people who are dying. In retirement she focuses on creativity, compassionate care, and reflecting on what makes a ‘good death.’

Francis discusses his early life, education and his carreer as a physician and medical oncology