Vale Associate Professor Bruce Davis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Associate Professor Bruce Davis and his wife

From Professor Wendy Brown, Head of Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School

It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that A/Prof Bruce Davis has passed away.

Assoc. Prof. Bruce Braham Davis was appointed to the Cardio-Thoracic Surgical Unit at the Alfred Hospital in 1971 and also worked at Cabrini from 1985. 

He became Director of the C.J. Officer Brown Unit after the retirement of George Stirling and was widely respected for his devotion to his patients and innovative approach to adopting new technologies as the specialty of Cardiothoracics evolved. He mentored and supported multiple surgical trainees encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a surgical career.  His bought a sense of calm to the operating room, and was the person that was called in when no-one knew what to do.  Even in the most difficult of cases, behaved in an exemplary manor working well with the entire theatre team, immediately putting people at ease with his dry sense of humour.

Bruce also contributed broadly to the profession through multiple college roles, and appointments to government bodies such as TGA.

 Bruce retired in 2012. Despite health challenges, he maintained an active social life and was always surrounded by friends and family – quite often at a golf course!

On a personal note, I will always remember Bruce’s support when I was a Resident at the Alfred.  He was our “go-to” person when we were rotating through the Cardiothoracic unit, always available and always supportive.  He rounded on his patients every day and never missed an opportunity to teach.  Bruce was one of the men that encouraged me to become a surgeon, telling me that I should not let anyone ever tell me I could not do it.   I can only aspire to be half the surgeon and human being that he was.

Our deepest sympathy go to Pat and the family, including his daughters Mandy and Anna that work with us at the Alfred

Vale Bruce.  Thank you for all you did for our patients, and for us.