Andrew Malcolm Jenkins
Andrew Malcolm Jenkins
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
1949 2016
Andrew Malcolm Jenkins (1949-2016) was born 19 May 1949 to Claude and Nora (nee Webb) in Hastings UK. With his sister Hilary, he emigrated to Australia in 1957. His father was the secretary of the Queensland branch of the AMA and his parents sent Andrew to Brisbane Boys Grammar where he became head boy. After completing his medical degree at the University of Queensland, he worked at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and became just the third registrar to be appointed to the plastic and reconstructive surgery programme in Queensland.
Married to Frances (nee Roe) in 1974, they had Esther, Clarissa, Toby, Morgan and Mardi who have brought untold happiness and a tribe of grandchildren.
Andrew went to Melbourne for training in microsurgery at St Vincent's Hospital in the late 1970's with Bernie O'Brien and Wayne Morrison. He made great friends and began a lifelong interest in lower limb reconstruction. He obtained his fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 1981.
Andrew returned to Brisbane in 1982 at a time when microsurgery was in its infancy and he was involved in all forms of replantation surgery for adults and children. He developed the use of the gastrocnemius flap and the plantar island flap with variations and micro vascular extensions. His efforts not only saved the limbs of many individuals but helped to change the way that lower limb trauma was approached in the hospital. Close working relationships with orthopaedic surgeons at Royal Brisbane Hospital meant that both departments benefitted in the areas of limb salvage and gait analysis.
Andrew was president of the Australian Hand Society (1998-2000 ) and Vice President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (1998-1999 ). Andrew was the Secretary and then the President of the Queensland Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons from 1988-1992.
Andrew was involved in the development of day surgery in Brisbane as a proprietor of Pacific Day Surgery. He was a generous man who was involved in many spheres outside of surgery including triathlons with his partner of ten years, Erica Williams, climbing Kilimanjaro and walking the Kokoda Track with friends.
Andrew was accomplished in areas that might surprise such as ikebana, wine and olive oil production, culinary arts and poetry. He was a great supporter of community organisations. He loved his rural retreat at Esk and worked tirelessly at landscaping his property. Travel was a passion and he was very affected by a trip to India with a group of plastic surgeons who toured with Norm Olbourne after the conference they attended.
Andrew knew his diagnosis for six months before he died of Glioblastoma Multiforme. He remained characteristically strong and brave and I never heard a word of complaint. He was a true gentleman.
Daniel Kennedy FRACS
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