Mater pioneers celebrated for their contribution to Queensland

A Townsville professor was one of 116 exceptional Queenslanders recognised this week with a Queensland Greats Award for his work supporting women’s healthcare in the city.

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TOWNSVILLE Professor Ajay Rane and health pioneer Sister Regis Mary Dunne AO RMS have joined a list of Queensland Greats this week in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the history and development of the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk presented the Queensland Greats Awards in Brisbane this week and awarded Sister Dunne who passed away last year at the age of 93 the 2021 posthumous award for her groundbreaking work in the field of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and her lifetime contribution to healthcare and ethics.

Sister Regis Mary Dunne AO RSM played an instrumental role in several Queensland firsts, including establishing the inaugural cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory at Mater Hospital in 1960.

The late Sister Dunne, who started her career at Mater in 1949 played an “instrumental role” in several Queensland firsts, including establishing the inaugural cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory at Mater Hospital in 1960, resulting in earlier diagnosis of congenital abnormalities, a spokeswoman for Mater said.

The Sister of Mercy also co-founded the first specialised counselling clinic to assist clinicians, patients and families dealing with the complexities of genetic diagnoses.

Mater physician and women’s health champion, Professor Rane OAM, was presented with an individual Queensland Greats Award for his care of women with urinary incontinence and pelvic dysfunction.

Professor Ajay Rane established Queensland’s first non-metropolitan urogynaecology subspecialty clinic in Townsville and has led world-leading research into vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Prof Rane, an advocate and activist for the health and reproductive rights of disadvantaged women, established Queensland’s first non-metropolitan urogynaecology subspecialty clinic in Townsville and has led world-leading research into vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Mater Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Steer said the Queensland Greats posthumous award was a richly-deserved recognition of Sister Dunne’s life and legacy.

“Sister Dunne was an inspiration to generations of young healthcare workers and the posthumous award is a fitting way to honour her passion and contribution to advancing science and healthcare in Queensland,” Dr Steer said.

Dr Steer also congratulated Prof Rane on joining the list of 116 exceptional individuals and 17 institutions honoured with a Queensland Greats Award.

Professor Ajay Rane at Queens Park. Picture: Evan Morgan

Sister Dunne and Prof Rane were among seven people and a medical research institution to receive a 2021 Queensland Greats award.

Originally published as Mater pioneers celebrated for their contribution to Queensland