Vale A/Prof Brigid Hickey

It is with profound sadness RANZCR wishes to inform members of the passing of former Board Member and Treasurer A/Prof Brigid Hickey, on 13 May 2023.

Brigid Hickey attended the University of Queensland, graduated in 1986 and completed postgraduate training in Brisbane. She became a RANZCR Fellow in 1997 and this was followed by the Windeyer Fellowship at Mt Vernon in the United Kingdom. She has also worked in Christchurch, New Zealand as a Radiation Oncologist.

Brigid was a Senior Radiation Oncologist and Acting Director, Radiation Oncology at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Her areas of special clinical interest are Head and Neck cancer and Gynaecological malignancies.

She had been involved with the Cochrane Collaboration for more than 20 years, initially as a reviewer and was the Editor for the Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer Groups. She had published Cochrane reviews on breast, prostate and colorectal cancer and been the principal author in over 25 publications. Brigid also regularly presented at National and International Oncology meetings.

Brigid’s volunteering journey with the College began nearly two decades ago in 2003, and she had been a committee member, Chair, Faculty of Radiation Oncology Councillor or Board Director continuously since. Some of Brigid’s most notable achievements during this time include:

• developing the first Tripartite Plan as Chair of the Tripartite Committee (now the Radiation Oncology Alliance), which is the formal radiation oncology alliance of RANZCR, ASMIRT and ACPSEM
• fostering her passion for post-Fellowship education to lead the FRO’s Post Fellowship Education Committee and Annual Scientific Meeting Management Committee
• playing an important role in reorganising the JP Trainor Trust Archives Committee to ensure this important link to the College’s past is in very good standing
• helping to steer the College through the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic as Board member, Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Although she has been described as a “quiet achiever” by her peers, Brigid’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Past President Dr Lance Lawler says “Brigid is one of those rare 'think before you speak' individuals who always deeply considers the issues before weighing in, and as a result frequently ends up making the most significant contribution to any decision. Never one to blow her own trumpet, Brigid often described herself as 'an imposter'; in reality, all she was doing was defining her innate humility and humanity, and underlining her suitability to serve.”

Brigid gave freely of her time to the College and was honoured by her peers with the prestigious 2022 Roentgen Medal for her very valuable contribution to the affairs of the College over a significant period.

During this difficult period for Brigid’s family, we offer our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you. We take solace in the fact that Dr Hickey helped so many of her patients, members and others lifelong, and we dearly miss her.