University of Western Australia: Chancellor’s Medal Awarded to Distinguished Neuroradiologist and Educator for Outstanding Contributions
Pioneering neuroradiologist, educator, champion of women’s rights and enduring presence at The University of Western Australia, Professor Lesley Cala, has been awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal.
UWA Chancellor, the Honourable Robert French AC, presented Professor Cala with her medal at a special ceremony held at Juniper Rowethorpe’s Sutton Community Centre in Bentley.
Mr French said the recognition was a fitting testament to Professor Cala’s unwavering commitment to medicine, education and the community.
“As a UWA graduate and a proud member of the Convocation of the University, Professor Cala is a highly deserving recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal, recognition of a lifetime of remarkable achievements and a deep commitment to her community,” Mr French said.
Image: UWA Chancellor, the Honourable Robert French AC, with medal recipient Professor Lesley Cala and Warden of Convocation, Emeritus Professor Jenny Gregory from UWA’s School of Humanities.
Born in Cottesloe, Professor Cala’s connection to UWA is deep rooted, going back to her days as a student and resident of St Catherine’s College. When she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1964, she was one of only four women in the class.
Following her graduation, Professor Cala returned to her alma mater as a tutor of anatomy and physiology. Her passion for teaching and her dedication to her field set the stage for a career that would leave an indelible mark on the University and medical community.
She pursued further medical training in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a Diploma and a Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists, establishing herself as a leading expert in Neuroradiology.
Professor Cala’s journey came full circle in 1970 when she returned to Perth, becoming a teaching Fellow in Radiology at Royal Perth Hospital, further cementing her role as a trailblazer in the field. Over the ensuing years, her career saw her work as a consultant radiologist in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital and Swan Districts hospitals.
In 1975, she achieved a significant milestone by providing the five Perth teaching hospitals with access to CT brain scans, procuring the first CT machine in the Southern Hemisphere for Perth.
In later years, her ground-breaking thesis, ‘Neuroradiological diagnosis of intracranial tumours’ laid the foundation for enhanced diagnosis and treatment options for patients, an enduring legacy.
Beyond her impressive medical career, Professor Cala has been a staunch advocate for women’s interests, holding significant roles in organisations including the National Council of Women Australia, the International Council of Women and the UWA Centenary Trust for Women, and also on the Council advising the Minister for Women’s Interests.
After fifty years of teaching, research and practice within UWA, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, Professor Cala gave fifteen years to the University as a member of Senate.
After Senate, she committed to Convocation Council and served as a Councillor from 2010, including chairing the Awards Committee for three years, and serving as both Deputy Warden and Warden.
Surrounded by friends and family, Professor Cala was very honoured to receive the Chancellor’s Medal and thanked those who had considered she had the necessary criteria to be offered this important award.
Even today, Professor Cala continues her passion, poring over medical journals and articles to keep up to date in her field, which helps her to prepare lessons for undergraduate medical students at UWA.