An ultrasonographer by training, Gill is the MSc programme director of the medical imaging department at Canterbury Christ Church University. The peroration in her honour was made by Hazel Colyer, dean of health and social care at the university.

She recalled that Gill's vocation started with an "afternoon a week in the x-ray department when she was in the sixth form at school. For some unaccountable reason, she was persuaded at interview to do radiotherapy, but her heart wasn't in it so she transferred to the diagnostic pathway. Your gain - our loss!"

Gill then went to work at Margate Hospital in east Kent "taking on new modalities and techniques with relish. She quickly got into ultrasound, doing obstetric scanning on her own."

Hazel then reminded the audience "at that time obstetric scanning was still basic and, as Gill put it, she grew with it, taking her qualifying diploma in medical ultrasound in 1987."

One of Gill's inspirations at this time was Tony Roach, the superintendent radiographer at Margate. She cites his collegiateness, professionalism and care for patients. Hazel commented: "Twenty years on I can confirm that Gill has sustained these qualities and brings them into all that she does."

In her response, Gill thanked the directors, officers and staff of the Society, as well as her fellow members of council for the support they have given her and she made special mention of Michael Graveling "who somehow managed to get this event brought forward a week so that he got to cover 51 weeks whilst I've got 53!"

She went on to say that over the course of her year in office she would like to "focus on the positive qualities possessed by radiographers and how we might build on these strengths for the benefit of our patients in the future."

She continued: "Quite early on in my career I went for an interview for a senior II post. One of the questions I was asked was, 'what made you want to do radiography?' I replied that I didn't want to do radiography, I wanted to be a radiographer.

"The distinction between being and doing is very important. Rather than learning individual radiographic tasks, students are now encouraged to consider the role of the radiographer in its entirety. Many radiographers are extremely good at a multi-faceted role, with many aspects becoming so embedded that they are carried out almost instinctively."

Earlier in the day, the Society's UK council elected Sue Johnson vice-president. In a three-way contest the ex-chair of the Midlands Region Committee beat two members of Welsh Council, Jackie Hughes and Adele Maddison. Immediate past president Michael Graveling was awarded the fellowship of the Society.

Images:
Top right: The presidential team from left: Sandie Mathers, president-elect; Gill Dolbear, president; and Sue Johnson, vice-president.
Bottom from top left: Michael Graveling receives his past president's medal; Hazel Colyer praised Gill Dolbear's "mixture of determination and good organisation."; Marion Frank, one of the profession's great doyennes.

Posted: 02/07/2009