Dear Lists
I was shocked and saddened by this news, of which I was totally unaware,
of Branko Cesnik's recent illness and death as posted to the HL7 list by
Klaus.
Branko was a colourful character in the perhaps too often drab world of
health informatics. He had a pizzazz that influenced a generation of
young health IT students and workers. He was interested in the ideas and
possibilities that IT opened up for health care and for general
practitioners in particular.
He was a great communicator and his presentations at the RACGP computer
conferences were legendary. There were equally spell binding whether
they featured the latest technowizardry or a minimalist "stand and
deliver" talk from the lectern. If you wished to debate his theses
later, Branko good humoredly provided ample opportunity for that at the
bar later in the evening.
Branko could be annoying. His style and wit offended some. The pictures
he painted seemed limitless but the reality on Monday morning was little
changed. If he were a dreamer, however, it was in the manner suggested
by Robert Kennedy. "Some men look at things the way they are, and ask
why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?"
I join with Klaus in sending my condolences to Branko's family for a
life too short.
David
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [HL7Info] In Memoriam - Dr Branko Cesnik
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:04:51 +1000
From: Klaus D Veil <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: HL7 Australia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear HL7ers,
It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Dr Branko Cesnik.
For many years Branko was the hub of Health Informatics education and
research at Monash University. He set up the then Centre for Health
Informatics (CMI) which became a renown facility for post-graduate
health informatics distance education.
Branko served as president of the Asia Pacific Association for Medical
Informatics (APAMI - he was one of the founders) and the Australian
College of Health Informatics (ACHI) as well as a vice-president of the
International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA).
Branko substantially contributed to e-health policy and strategy in
Australia through participation in the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC), the National Health Information Group (NHIG)
and the Australian Health Information Council (AHIC)
Both the University of New South Wales and Monash University awarded Dr
Cesnik honorary Associate Professorships.
I first worked with Branko well over 10 years ago when I was CIO of a
large healthcare organisation in Sydney and was always impressed by his
independent mind and clear view of matters. Because of his enthusiasm
for accelerated use of IT in medicine our paths crossed many times
professionally as well as personally.
Despite his progressing illness, in October last year the Board of HL7
Australia was privileged to again experience Branko's skilful
facilitation and sound strategic advice at our Board Day in Melbourne.
On behalf of the Board and Membership of HL7 Australia, I would like to
acknowledge Branko's outstanding contribution to progressing health
informatics in Australia and worldwide. Our heartfelt condolences go to
his wife Wendy and his two daughters.
Klaus Veil
Chairman, HL7 Australia
*HL7 Australia**
*___________________________________________
*PO Box 3289, WESTON CREEK 2611, Australia*
Phone: (0412) 746 457 Fax: (02) 9475 0685
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: _www.HL7.org.au
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