Melbourne Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon Dr Gary Speck commenced clinical practice in 1985 at the Alfred Hospital, Prahran where he continues to work as one of the most highly regarded Spinal Surgeons in Australian Orthopaedics.In addition to the demands of his private practice, Gary has undertaken leadership positions in his College (RACS), the VIC AMA, and the Federal AMA as Councillor and Federal Vice President. He has served as Chairman and Director of the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ASOS), Chairman and Director of the Council of Procedural Specialists (COPS), as a member of several government committees, both federal and state, Director of the AMA, Director of the Australasian Medical Publishing Company Ltd and Chairman of the Board of the Medical Indemnity Protection Society (MIPS).
A master of diplomacy and quiet reason, with a firm grip on the details, Dr Speck has led his surgical colleagues in Orthopaedics through numerous crises with a cheerful smile and sharp pencil, never conceding a centimetre of professional freedom. For his outstanding contribution to independent medicine, we present Dr Gary Speck with a Bruce Shepherd Medal.