April 2009

Award for Alfred surgeon

Alfred Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) Alexander Cato was acknowledged in the recent Australia Day Honours List, receiving a Member of the Order of Australia—Military Division.

Mr Cato received his award for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve as the Director of Air Force Health Reserves—Personnel and Senior General Surgeon—deployable surgical elements—within the Australian Defence Force.

He has been a VMO at The Alfred for more than 20 years, working within the urology unit as well as assisting with trauma cases.

In addition to his duties as director of Air Force Health Reserves—Personnel, he has also completed numerous deployments as a surgeon to Malaysia, Bougainville, East Timor and the Solomon Islands with the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Cato has been a member of the RAAF Reserves for 27 years as a medical officer and surgeon.

He was an Air Force cadet during his school days when he won a flying scholarship.

He continues to fly regularly to Mildura visiting patients within the region.