Note by the Blog Administrator: Regarding ND's comment under Speedy's article
("A lasting recollection from my time in the Faculty") as mentioned in Dr. PRW's Appreciation, he had resigned from his post in the GHC and left the country in 1970 and had first gone to UK to take up a position there (and not to Australia to which country he had migrated later).
"PRW too left our shores to serve as a physician in Sydney. He had his own personal reasons for leaving SL just like many of us who now live in ‘exile’. Life’s journey is never a straight road it’s many twists and turns take us in paths beyond our wildest dreams".
Appreciations
View(s): 272
Wonderful man and brilliant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Darrel Felix Weinman
Darrel Weinman was born on November 20, 1929.
He attended St. Peter’s College Colombo where he was a brilliant student and excelled at sport. He was the school cricket captain. A few years ago when a mutual friend, Dr. Tony Don Michael passed away, and I informed him, he said, “He was my protégé.” Tony had played cricket for St. Peter’s under Darrel.
Darrel was a good student and I am reliably informed by his classmate (from 2nd year at St. Peter’s) Dr. Derrick Nugara who graduated with him, that he qualified with 1st class honours. I didn’t know him as a student as he was a few years senior to me, but in 1957, when he was studying for the primary FRCS, he borrowed a box of pathology slides from me. Needless to say, he passed first and won the Hallet Prize.
We were next in London in 1960 when he was studying for the FRCS and I, the MRCP. We both returned to Ceylon in 1962, after passing our exams, to begin our careers at the General Hospital Colombo. I was appointed to the OPD, as Physician in 1964 and we saw a lot of each other.
But it was in 1968 that our close friendship began. When Dr. George Ratnavale, Neurologist took six months off, I had to act for him. Fortunately, after my MRCPE I had spent three months at the Maida Vale Hospital, following the post graduate Neurology course with some of Britain’s foremost Neurologists. I remember, in particular, presenting to Lord Russell Brain. This helped me to fit in easily to the job. We immediately set up a partnership – me the acting Neurologist and he, the Neurosurgeon. To say that he was brilliant is an understatement. We would do weekly joint ward rounds with our junior staff.
A new close relationship then began. At least two or three times a week, we would go out in the evenings and have dinner(just the two of us).We would start at the Officers’ Mess at Galle Face, he was in the Army, then on to the Akase Kade or GOH (names fade!). All the waiters knew Weinman Mahathaya ! The routine after dinner was that we would visit the NSU (sometimes at midnight). He wanted to review the patients he had operated on that morning. Such was the dedication of the man. Many nurses would be sleeping on the floor, not knowing that the Boss was visiting!
It was at that time, his romance blossomed. His junior, Brinda and he fell in love. It was quite a romance. Rumour has it that when Brinda was a student, she had said, “One day I will marry Darrel Weinman”. Only Brinda can confirm this. They lived happily married for almost 50 years.
He used to come home for my children’s birthdays. On one occasion, I was giving a talk to the post graduate institution on Diabetes which he attended. After the talk he came to me and said, “You are mad, giving your secrets away.”
I left for UK in 1970. Around 1973, Brinda came to London to sit for her FRCS. Darrel accompanied her. They visited my house in London. During the day, we took them to the races at Royal Ascot. We were near the stables when the Queen came round. Darrel the Army man, stood to attention and saluted the Queen. I was quite amused. That night, they came home for dinner. After dinner, he and I sat in a room, the others in the next room. After a few drinks, he became quite emotional and said, “I will go wherever you go.” We were both contemplating moving to Australia
In 1975,I got a job as Consultant Physician to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. He wrote to me suggesting, that if I came over, we could start a group practice. Me as the physician, Brinda as the surgeon and he, the neurologist. As I had a hospital appointment, I had to turn down the offer.
We arrived in Sydney in February 1975. Two days after we arrived, he came home and drove us around the eastern suburbs particularly, Bondi Beach. We remained close and often visited each other.
His love was Neurosurgery. It was difficult to get a teaching hospital post as a neurosurgeon. He was appointed Neurosurgeon to Canterbury & Banks town hospitals. But neither had an ICU to look after neurosurgical patients. So, after some time he turned his talents to general practice. He had a huge practice and his patients loved him.
The last occasion we probably met was when out mutual friend, Dr. Tony Don Michael visited Sydney. Her stayed with me and one evening we went to Darrel’s for dinner. Darrel was a gifted pianist and played by ear. After dinner, Darrel sat at the keyboards, Tony (a brilliant tenor) and all of us had a typical Sri Lankan “sing-song”.
I had cardiac surgery in 2015 and now don’t drive much. Never at night. So although we spoke about getting together, it never happened.
He was a wonderful man and brilliant Neurosurgeon. He cared for his patients and loved his wife.
He will be sadly missed.
Ranji Wikramanayake
Thank you Lucky for publishing the appreciation. Darrel Weinman is the brightest star in our firmament of dedicated teachers. His humility and kindness despite his all round brilliance is worthy of emulation. I have read many of the condolences written by his patients in his GP practice in Sydney which shows the measure of his contribution to humanity. He is a one-off in our world of hubris and intolerable egos. I feel greatly fortunate to have been his student learning the immensely logical field of neurology. His intricate knowledge of neuroanatomy and physical signs made his final diagnosis so very obvious. I can still recall where he conducted his ward classes in that airy room in the top floor of that new block in the GHC. It was always filled to the rafters with enthusiastic medical students. Darrel Weinman has left an indelible mark in the lives of his numerous patients students and fellow professionals.
ReplyDeleteMay he find eternal peace.
Tony Don Michael died 2 years ago and was a fine product of our Colombo Faculty of Medicine. I wish to post a fine tribute by Dr. Nihal Abeyesundere
ReplyDeletewhich appeared in the Daily News but it is too long for a comment. If you wish here is the link http://www.dailynews.lk/2016-10-02-193000/features/94697
Thanks ND. Shall look it up. I didn't know TDM but have heard of him as a top class clinician.DFW was by any standards an exceptional doctor.
ReplyDeleteExtracts from the article ND referred to:-On September 20, 2016, we received the sad news that Dr. Tony Don Michael had passed away.
ReplyDeleteHe was 84 years and lived a productive and successful life. He was an eminent cardiologist.
Tony and I grew up together and attended Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya from Kindergarten to standard 2. We joined St. Peter’s College, Colombo in Standard 3. We were kindred spirits.Tony received cricket colours at St. Peter’s. He was an excellent batsman and athlete. He received the highest athletic honours at St. Peter’s and the university. Tony had a powerful tenor voice and his forte was songs of the Italian period and other classical arias.
He performed at various concert halls and on the radio as well. He even received a scholarship to La Scala in Milan for Opera singing.
Tony left for England after his internship in Sri Lanka. He was one of the few overseas students to obtain the MRCP (London) and MRCP (Edinburgh). At the age of 29, he held two important positions, namely as Chief of Internal Medicine, Abadan and Professor of Medicine, University of Gundishpoor, Iran. He was able to work with the best in the field of Cardiology. At the Cleveland Clinic, he worked with Mason Sones, who invented Coronary Angiography and at Cedars Sinai with Jeremy Swan of Swan-Gantz Catheter fame. He had three Board Certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Bariatrics. He started the first Cardiology-Bariatric Unit in the US. He was an F.A.C.C.; F.R.C.P.; F.A.C.P.; F.A.C.C.P.; F.E.S.C.; F.A.H.A. and F.C.G.S. His publications included 200 papers, 100 abstracts, five chapters in Cardiology text books, a new classification of Cardiogenic Shock, which is still the standard and the single author text book of Cardiology published by McGraw Hill. He has 20 published US patents.
He took three Cardiac teams to train doctors in Sri Lanka, at his own expense. He was awarded Sri Lankan Honors for Philanthropic and Scientific Work and was the Honorary Sri Lankan Consul for California. He was recognised by the Mayor of Bakersfield for his outstanding contributions in the medical field to Kern County.
Tony was a ballroom dancer and took part in competitions with Sharmini, winning a number of trophies. Tony and Sharmini shared 17 idyllic years of blissful marriage. They were not only lovers but their relationship was all encompassing-sharing their ambitions, Tony’s work and inventions. They enjoyed excellent cuisine. 4109 Sill Place was a warm house and a beacon of hospitality to everyone (big or small) who visited them.
Tony was a caring and loving father to his three daughters, Shahnaz, Rohays and Ceri and a concerned grandfather to his three grandchildren. He was a devout Catholic.
Mahen
ReplyDeleteThanks pal for your assistance. There are many who have served humanity beyond the call of duty who needs to be remembered for their contribution to society. I never had the opportunity to meet him but recall hearing him lecture at the 'new anatomy lecture theatre' when I was a student. Although I cannot remember the lecture I do vividly recall his enthusiasm and zest for cardiology which he radiated to the audience. He was a proud Sri Lankan despite his years in exile. May his Soul Rest in Peace.
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ReplyDeleteHello everyone, so sorry to have taken 'a leave of absence' from the blog, but I was 'back in school' and was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of homework I had to cope with. (Mahen and Rohini are aware of what I have been up to). I am almost done with all that, and hope to visit the blog regularly from now on.
ReplyDeleteLucky, I am so glad that you published this obituary, so that we can add our own tributes as comments. I had heard from a non-medical friend that Dr.Darrel Weinman had passed away in Australia. He was one of those exceptional teachers, that one feels lucky to encounter in one's career. Such teachers are so rare, more so in the current environment of medical practice. I don't remember specific details, but I do remember riding in the crowded lifts to get up to the neurosurgical unit to attend his ward classes. There always was a crowd, because very often seniors 'gate crashed' our ward classes. Neurosurgery seemed so glamorous in those days. Darrel Weinman contributed immensely to the education of our generation of medical students. I also remember that he was kind and decent, and did not get his kicks by belittling the medical students, unlike some of our other professors.
As for Dr. Tony Don Michael, I had heard wonderful things about him, but never had the good fortune to cross paths with him.
They both contributed greatly to humanity. May they Rest in Peace.
Srianee
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to our fold. We certainly missed you.
Hi!ND,Do you mean fold or fowl?Flower from old LDC has blossomed,at last.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Srianee! We missed your thoughtful contributions.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nihal and Mahen. I'm not sure what Sumathi is trying to say, but I will take it as positive! I will try to be more "present" in the future.
ReplyDelete