My name is Paul Cashin and I’m an Upper GI Surgeon, specialising in diseases of the oesophagus and stomach.

I have been a specialist surgeon at Monash Health (and its previous incarnations) since 1998 and am currently Director of Upper GI/HPB Surgery at Monash Health and Clayton Sector Head of General Surgery and Acute Surgery. They call me ‘The Fat Controller’, minus the top hat and morning suit (for those of you who are not fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, he was the guy in charge!). Being asked to write this column has caused significant reflection, which is strange as we so often go about our working days without doing too much of that.

It is with some pride that I can say I was one of the original Prince Henry’s people – yes there are a few of us left.

I graduated from Monash University Prince Henry’s Clinical School in 1984 and did my intern and resident years at that wonderful institution. I moved to the old Repat for my surgical training and they blew up Prince Henry’s! But I’m proud to say somewhere in my attic, I have a brick from the old hospital.

I look back on relationships from the old days that still exist and have burgeoned as Monash Medical Centre and Monash Health has created its own identity and stamp on the medical world.

Many from my graduating year still work here and have moved onto very powerful and important positions, far beyond my skills, and it is still wonderful to catch up for a “Zouki’s” when time allows. As he so likes to tell everyone, I was Associate Professor Richard King’s intern in 1985, and his parting comment to me on my last day was: “as a physician you will make a very fine surgeon”. How perceptive.

The Upper GI/HPB/ASU Unit at Monash Health has expanded rapidly over the years to become one of Australia’s largest  combined units, operating on more than 2000 patients per year at the Clayton campus (>4000 admission per year).

We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in introducing the ASU concept, a consultant-led service for acute surgery that is now a template for institution’s around Australia. Our research and teaching have rapidly expanded with the appointment of Dan Croagh, our Head of Research and Mark Cullinan, our Head of Education. Coupled with the expansion of our clinical services led by our Clinical Heads, Roger Berry (HPB), Liang Low (Luminal Upper GI) and Zdenek Dubrava (ASU), we have a lot to be proud about.

I look at what lessons can be learnt from this rather exciting journey and really it is all about relationships with colleagues, engagement in a common goal and each clinician accepting areas of responsibility, beyond their clinical load, to create a fantastic team.

I genuinely believe that the spirit of Prince Henry’s and Queen Victoria lives on in Monash Health and creates a truly great institution that fosters a ‘can do’ attitude that is such a unique part of this service. With the opening of the Translational Precinct and Monash Children’s we can be one of the greatest and most unique medical services in the country, which can only help our community.

It all sounds really corny but what we have is unique with many exciting times ahead for all of us.