Vale Dennis Pashen
When the JCU medical school opened in North Queensland in 2000 Dennis was front and centre welcoming us all. He inspired many of us to come to Mount Isa to experience rural medicine out west, and was a staunch supporter as we established Club RHINO, the student rural health club. Dennis always told it how it was, cutting through the BS to state the facts. He was a man of big ideas, and a fun loving larrikin. He inspired generations of doctors to join him working in remote and rural Australia, and enjoy life. Vale Dennis, and thank you.
Dr Aileen Traves
North QLD GP
Founding President Club RHINO JCU
RACGP Queensland Council Deputy Chair
I feel like I have known Dennis forever. He was that kind of spirit - he came into your life and everything you thought you knew had to be rearranged and all for the better. Smart witty with a wonderful sense of humour as well as mischief - especially when he got what he wanted because no one asked questions that might have unpacked the deal. Walked the walk, tall, present, honest and truly made me a better person and CEO for all of that, though I probably wouldn’t have told him so.
I don’t think we can ever overestimate the impact of the sheer determination and courage - if not bloody mindedness - of those first ACRRM pioneers. To the outside it looked much neater and simpler than even I knew it was but those like Dennis never blinked.
My heart goes out to Vicki. Not an easy man always but Lo, what a heart, what a kind, what a presence. We all lost a hero today, none more so than those closest to him now and through his journey.
Vale Dennis.
By Adj Prof Janice Bell