KNOWN for his happy, friendly and professional disposition, Dr Dale Ford has left an indelible mark on the community particularly through his work at the Hamilton Medical Group (HMG) and as Western District Health Service chief medical officer.

He passed away Thursday, May 23, aged 69.

Dr Ford worked as a GP with HMG since the mid-1980s following his graduation from University of Melbourne in 1978, and training at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Preston & Northcote Community Hospital and Hamilton Base Hospital.

His jovial attitude manifested in his practice, and he seemingly took delight in serving his patients.

Throughout his career he developed interests in diabetes management and prevention, cardiovascular disease management and prevention, as well as skin problems.

Dr Ford was actively influential in the community and worked in many other roles which have led to him being able to develop policy and advocate for the needs of rural patients and doctors.

These roles included being on the board of Great South Coast Medicare Local, previously as chair of Southern GP Training, as designated aviation medical examiner, and as principal clinical advisor for the Improvement Foundation Australia which runs the largest Practice Improvement Program within Australia.

He also had a number of peer reviewed journal articles published and has presented on quality improvement in health throughout Australia and overseas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was integral in steering the Hamilton and district community through the many challenges through best practice regimes and predicted the second and subsequent waves of the virus spreading and made recommendations about same. 

One WDHS employee described Dr Ford as “a very special person and wonderful advocate for patients, the community, and rural healthcare more generally”.

He is survived by his wife Rowena and three adult children, Tanya, Adam and Edwina and their families.

A full obituary will be published in a later edition.