Joseph Epstein

n Like all who have appeared before him in oral examinations,
my early impressions of Joe were those of a forceful,
formidable, highly articulate, wholly professional man. His
stern visage and deep yet mellifluous voice set him apart
from other College elders and grandfathers. An immediate
sense of personal inadequacy presaged any interaction
with him, particularly in an examination situation.
I was fortunate, later in my career, to work with and learn
from Joe. I was particularly privileged to join him in a WA
Government initiated review of the emergency department
of the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth in 1990.
There I saw his incisiveness, his inquisitorial skills, and
his highly ethical approach first hand. I have conducted
many emergency department reviews since that time and
Joe’s approach has remained with me throughout.
Having been a co-examiner with Joe, I learnt that this book
should not be judged by its cover. He was scrupulously
fair and most empathetic to all candidates who came
before him. I suspect many, who had appeared before him
and left fearing the worst, would have been pleasantly
surprised at his assessment of their performance.
n I recall sitting in the
cafeteria with Joe and a
junior doctor from the UK. I
had just recently arrived in
Australia and started work
at Western. The UK doctor,
during the course of the
conversation, referred to
the ED as ‘Casualty’. This set
Joe off. ‘Casualty is a casual
place where casual doctors
see casual patients with
casual problems. We are
an emergency department
and don’t you forget it.’
Always stuck with me!
Jack Bergman | Melbourne.
Former Western Health
emergency medicine registrar
When I took on senior roles in the College, I had nothing
but constructive, helpful advice and support from Joe. He
accepted with grace that from time to time the College might
be taken in directions different to those he had envisaged
and threw his full support behind these directions.
It has been a source of real pleasure to meet Joe since my
College days. He is ever friendly, ever generous, always incisive
and insightful, interested and inquiring. I have gone away from
each of these encounters with enhanced respect for him.
I never thought Joe would retire. Thank goodness he
has, as the rest of us will not feel so bad or inadequate
when contemplating that step for ourselves.
But Joe will be forever active!
Chris Baggoley | emergency physician ‘at large’, former
President of ACEM and Chief Medical Officer of Australia.
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