Citation for the Down Surgical Prize 2006 Barrie T Evans

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Barrie Evans was born to Australian parents in India in 1946. His family was one of the small number which had dominated horse racing since the 19th century. Both grandfathers, his father, elder brother and numerous cousins were all celebrated jockeys. One grandfather, William Evans, rode the winner of the Melbourne Cup in 1907. There seemed little doubt that the young Barrie would follow the family tradition, but he was judged to be too big, and his professional life was destined to take a very different direction.

Following early years in England, India, Hong Kong and Australia, he qualified in dentistry from the University of Sydney in 1970. After 2 years in general dental practice he travelled to UK to join the Oral Surgery Department in Cardiff. He graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine in 1981. Senior registrar posts followed at Southampton, Odstock, St George's and the Royal Dental Hospitals, with 6 months spent in Sri Lanka. Barrie was appointed consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Southampton in 1988.

A gifted clinician and surgeon, a diligent researcher, he is a sought after teacher and trainer. As one of his previous registrars, and now a close colleague, told me, Barrie always has time for anybody at any level.

He has presented around 150 invited lectures and papers at national and international meetings. His meticulous approach and easy style always impress. His list of publications is prodigious and makes a significant contribution to our knowledge and practice.

Locally he has been an effective leader within his Trust and played a key role in the reconfiguration of cancer services in the implementation of the recommendations of the Calman-Hine Report. Nationally he is an examiner and remains a major contributor to our Association, bringing a helpful balance of new thinking and common sense to Council. Currently Honorary Treasurer, we look forward to his Presidency in 2009.

Barrie's special contribution comes from his expertise in the anatomy and surgery of the skull base and orbital skeleton, an interest which began whilst a senior registrar in Southampton working with John Garfield. At an early stage he co-authored a protocol for the management of craniofacial injuries. At the time this was innovative but seen by some to be overly aggressive. Twenty years later this remains a benchmark and their series maintains 0% mortality.

Fortuitously, Barrie's appointment as consultant coincided with the appointment of Glen Neil-Dwyer to the Wessex Neurological Unit. Glen had previously worked with Dick Haskell on access surgery at the Brooke Hospital. Based upon a positive approach and mutual respect, a multidisciplinary skull base team was rapidly established. Access surgery evolved and Barrie's drive and ability led to the full participation of the maxillofacial surgeon in ablation and reconstruction. This was a pioneering time and the legacy will be enduring.

He was a founder member of the British Association of Skull Base Surgery in 1992, and developed important links with colleagues in Europe and America, Australia and the Indian sub-continent. This firmly established the unit in Southampton as a world respected centre, and Barrie as a leader in his field.

Barrie Evans has made an enormous contribution to his profession. He has been an outstanding ambassador for our specialty and really made a difference to the way we look after our patients. This success has been underpinned by boundless enthusiasm, his charismatic personality, and perhaps in no small measure, to those magnificent ties. I know that Barrie would wish to acknowledge the great support of his wife Christine whom he first met when she was a theatre sister in Cardiff in 1974. They have two children, Alexandra and Leighton, of whose achievements Barrie is intensely proud.

Outside his profession he has a passionate interest and knowledge of the history of horse racing, blood stock and breeding. He remains a member of the Australian Jockey Club. Unfortunately, he shows an unhealthy support for the Australian Cricket Team. Later this year Barrie will return to Australia to celebrate the centenary of William Evans’ win in the Melbourne Cup: quite an excuse for a family party. It is therefore a most appropriate year for this Association to mark the singular achievements of Barrie Evans by the award of the Down Surgical Prize.

David Barnard

June 2007