Eulogy given by Dr Ian MacLeod
Newlands South Church, Glasgow
5th December 2003
I would like to thank Gina’s family for giving me the opportunity to describe her career in Radiology. In order to do so, it is necessary to delineate the landmarks of her curriculum vitae and then attempt to define the essence of Gina the individual in the context of her career. Gina graduated MBCHB Glasgow in 1969. After her junior house officer posts and a short period as an assistant in general practice, she commenced her career in Radiology as an SHO in Wilson James’ highly respected and pioneering department in the Southern General Hospital in April 1971. She remained there as a trainee until April 1976. During this time she received a superb education in Radiology, obtained a Diploma in Radiology in 1973 and acquired the Radiology fellowship in May 1975. In April 1976 she became a Consultant Radiologist in the Western Infirmary but in January 1978 she returned to a Consultant Radiology post in the Southern General Hospital.
In 1989 she was awarded the fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
In the Spring of 1998. Gina moved to a Consultant Radiology post in Stobhill in order to seek new professional challenges. She remained there until her retirement from clinical duties in the summer of last year. During her career as a Radiologist, she became experienced in every aspect of general radiology but developed particular interests in ultrasound especially of the orbit, cardiac Angiography, nuclear medicine. MRI and interventional radiology. (You may well ask what did this woman not do).
Within these interests, it should be noted that she was instrumental in developing abdominal ultrasound in the Southern General and in 1986 was responsible for setting up MRI body scanning in the Institute of Neurological Sciences. As a radiologist, she published over 20 articles, many of these appearing in peer review journals.
Gina had a major involvement in both postgraduate and undergraduate education. This involved teaching radiologists, medical students, radiographers and nurses. In relation to radiology, she had been chairman and also regional advisor of the West of Scotland Committee for postgraduate medical education.
More recently, she was chairman of the Symposium Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Overall. Gina served in more than 20 committees and was a member of at least 8 societies.
These then are the facts in relation to Gina’s career as a radiologist. But what was the essence of the woman in the context of her career as a doctor in Radiology.
Gina came to Stobhill with a formidable reputation as a radiologist whose skills were highly regarded and in whom clinicians had complete confidence in her clinical judgement. At her interview for the Stobhill Consultant post. Ramsay Vallance asked her. which of her many achievements had given her most satisfaction. Gina replied, “helping to sort out clinical problems”.
Despite her undoubted clinical abilities. Gina promoted the culture of sharing knowledge and seeking a second opinion from colleagues.
Radiology trainees always felt part of an extended family. No matter how little they knew her. she was always interested in their professional career and their life outwith medicine. Even after Gina retired, she continued to teach the radiology trainees one afternoon a week. Every one of these trainees obtained their fellowship.
Not many people here today will know that Gina’s own career in radiology got off to an interesting start. Shortly after Wilson James offered her a post in his department, she returned to inform him that she was pregnant. In her career, she became a role model to a cohort of female radiology trainees, advising them how to juggle a career with family life.
Throughout her career, she inspired many people to enter Radiology including her very own daughter Catriona.
Within the department at Stobhill. Gina became a much loved mother figure. This role extended to the organisation of the departmental Christmas lunch. Several members of the department would be sent home the night before with a pocketful of mince to cook, and to return the next morning to add it to the pot for the departmental chilli con carne. As an example of her attention to detail she was seen to remark to a nurse “bread sticks my dear not bread” and I can tell you she had that steely look in her blue eyes but behind it was a loving glint.
On a personal note, providence had it that our paths crossed for we were as a kindred spirit sharing the ethos of the departmental family.
This then was a woman who was totally committed to the NHS and who achieved much in her career as a radiologist, but her achievements as a person and a colleague were much more.
She was imbued with common sense, sincere and honest in her work, which she expected from others, had an immense capacity for work, a tenacity of spirit and was a wise counsel. At the end of the day, I am mindful of the words of Charles Spurgeon. “carve your name on hearts and not on marble”‘ – Gina McCreath carved her name on hearts.