After 12 years as an anaesthetist at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Dr Michael Moneypenny has packed his bags and headed east – to Africa.
His new role is regional director (East Africa) for the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education at the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Kenya.
Michael said: “I feel particular resonance with the values of the University, which state that AKU “is committed to building an environment that fosters intellectual freedom, distinction in scholarship, pluralism, compassion, and humanity’s collective responsibility for a sustainable physical, social and cultural environment.”
“I still tell anyone who will listen, with apologies to all the other anaesthetic departments I have worked in, that the anaesthetic department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital is the best place I have ever worked.”
Michael recalls that his first day at Forth Valley Royal was also the first day that elective operations starting taking place so he was not alone when wondering how to get somewhere in the hospital or where equipment was being kept.
“However, over the years, it became easier to find my way around, even as new units and departments began to crop up.
“As I’m unable to list everybody individually (I would no doubt be kicking myself later for forgetting someone) I would like to thank all my colleagues and friends, in theatres, governance and the simulation centre, for their support, laughs and chat over the past 12 years. I would also like to thank all the cleaners, the RVS volunteers and the porters, all of whom always had a ready smile and a hello.
“My personal email address is michaelmoneypenny@mac.com so if you find yourself in East Africa, drop me a line and we can meet up for a kikombe cha chai or kahawa.”
Friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to Michael and wish him well in his new role:-
“We would like to thank Michael Moneypenny for his amazing energy and wisdom which he shared with us over the last two years as our Clinical Lead. We will miss you and wish you all the very best in Kenya.” – Clinical Skills Managed Educational Network
“Missing you already Michael! All the best.” – Scottish Centre for Simulation & Clinical Human Factors, FVRH
“It is really sad to be saying goodbye to Michael Moneypenny who is going to Kenya to lead the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education. We wish him all the very best in his new adventure.😀”
