Rodney Elston Dalziel
Rodney Elston Dalziel
1947- 2017
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Rodney Elston Dalziel was born in Perth to parents Ken and May Dalziel in 1947.
He completed his education as a young man at Strathmore High school in Victoria. At a young age he was clearly a gifted student and athlete. From 1965 - 1970 Rod attended University of Melbourne Medical School, where he continued his academic brilliance and achieved honours in every subject in every year.
He did his junior resident years at Royal Melbourne hospital and in 1972 where, as the Plastic Surgery resident met his future wife Marie Burger, a 5th year medical student (while they were sewing up a leg in casualty.) They were married in 1977.
He found his way to orthopaedic training were he predictably excelled and subsequently did post fellowship training at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Nashville Tennessee in 1979, and The Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston in 1980. He became superbly trained in the modern arthroscopic treatment of sport injuries and the rapidly evolving field of hip and knee arthroplasty.
While in the US a grateful patient flew Rod in his private jet to play golf at Augusta National. When asked about the experience, Rod replied that "it was sometimes tough chipping out of the azaleas".
Rod and Marie returned to Melbourne in 1982 with daughter Anna who was born 1979 and son Andrew who was born in the US in 1981.
He initially worked at the Austin Hospital and shared rooms with John Bartlett, prior to moving to the Alfred Hospital and joining the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group with David Bracy, Andrew McQueen and David Young.
From 1985 - 2013 he was an active member of MOG with significant contributions to the development of arthroscopic shoulder surgery, arthroscopically-assisted ACL reconstruction & Birmingham hip resurfacing. He was involved in well published research in these areas. He was a popular respected contributor to the Knee Society and Arthroplasty Society of Australia and a regular presenter at meetings both at home and abroad.
In 2013 he retired from Orthopaedic practice and took up the cello. Apparently he used to practise for up to four hours per day. He remained a talented "academic" golfer at Metropolitan Golf Club with a "Fred Couples like" swing. In retirement he became a frequent attender with Marie at musical soirees and concerts.
Rod was a unique individual. Highly intelligent and perhaps the most focused person his partners have ever known. He was a superb technical surgeon, a deeply sensitive, caring individual. He changed both his patients' and colleagues' lives for the better.
He will be greatly missed.
This obituary has been kindly provided by past and present members of The Melbourne Orthopaedic Group.