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Archives of Emergency Medicine, 1993, 10, 256
Obituary
Alison Gourdie FRCS (Glas), FRCSEd (A&E)
24 January 1958-28 September 1992
Alison Gourdie's death, on 28 September 1992, came like a chill wind on a summer's
day. She was so extraordinarily full of life at work and in recreation that her
desperately tragic demise, in an air crash in the Himalayan foothills, fell harder
on those of us who knew her. Although she had enjoyed just a few months as
Consultant in her beloved Scotland, she had long been a great exponent of accident
& emergency medicine. Combining the leadership of a modern Boadicea with
the most unexpected tenderness, she energized every department in which she
worked: thundering, clog-footed into the Resus Room in the Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh, her zeal could terrify! Yet it was plain for all to see that no-one was
more determined to save life nor was more capable. An almost veteran television
-
personality by the summer of 1992, she could be admired frequently while in
action in 'Jimmy's'. She had become the perfect advertisement for her chosen
developing specialty: ebullient, concerned, dynamic, cheerful and effective, she
managed to combine all in judicious measure and it was sheer pleasure to watch.
Off-screen and off-duty, Alison was remarkably shy (for one so enthusiastic in
helping others). That was why, perhaps, she so enjoyed the fells and mountainsides
that were such an important part of her life. She was not, however, a woman to
shut herself off from a congregation and many of her friends' fondest memories
will be of a lovely, chuckling Scottish lassie, hand clutching a small crystal tumbler,
rocking in late night mirth. She is much missed.
L.C.L.
The British Accident and Emergency Trainees Association are to award a prize in memory of Alison Gourdie.
The prize will be awarded to the trainee presenting the best paper at the BAETA session at the annual BAEM
Scientific Meeting.
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Downloaded from emj.bmj.com on November 23, 2011 - Published by group.bmj.com
Alison Gourdie FRCS
(Glas), FRCSEd (A&E)
Arch Emerg Med 1993 10: 256
doi: 10.1136/emj.10.3.256
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