Special events mark hospital's 140 years of serving the community.

Sydney Local Health District has officially launched special celebrations to mark RPA’s 140th anniversary – a key hospital in the District that serves the local community and patients from across NSW, Australia and the world.

The District’s Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson, the hospital’s General Manager Kiel Harvey and members of RPA’s Executive team joined staff to kick-off a series of events to celebrate 140 years since the hospital first opened its doors to patients in 1882.

“Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is strong because of the people who work here and our rich ties with the community, the ongoing commitment to clinical research and teaching and the connection we have to the stories of the hospital’s past,” Dr Anderson said.

Uncle Alan Murray from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council gave the Welcome to Country at the launch event.

A revamped walking tour of RPA’s campus, which gives people an opportunity to learn more about the history of the hospital, and a new Nursing History Wall, which documents the journey and achievements of nursing and midwifery at RPA, were unveiled.

And staff also had the opportunity to take a little time out in their day to connect with their colleagues at a lunchtime staff barbeque.

“I’m so looking forward to all of the special events that have been planned to celebrate RPA, its people, our partnerships and our community,” Kiel Harvey, the hospital’s General Manager, said.

Symposia to showcase RPA’s pioneering role in patient care are being held throughout the week. The theme of the symposia is Valuing the past, delivering in the present and anticipating the future.

The program features a keynote address from Professor Graham Mann, the Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University.

And, a panel discussion about mentoring staff in healthcare, chaired by Dr Andrew Hallahan, the District’s Executive Director of Medical Services, Clinical Governance and Risk, who will be joined by leaders from across the District.

There’ll be a Building the Future Symposium about the hospital’s $750 million redevelopment, and its position at the heart of Tech Central and at the centre of the Camperdown Health Education and Research Precinct.   

The recipient of the 2022 RPA Foundation Research Medal is also set to be announced with the winner receiving $50,000 in funding to further their research. 

There’s an RPA Gala Dinner, a picnic for staff and their families and an invitation-only cocktail evening at The University of Sydney.