Vale Stephen P Myers
Friend, colleague and mentor to so many
This morning (Thursday 27th) I awoke to the unwelcome news that a very dear friend and lifetime colleague to many of us, Emeritus Professor Stephen P Myers, passed away in Lismore Base Hospital.
Too early for a man with such compassion and vision for what could be.
I met Stephen in the mid-80s when we were both teaching at the NSW College of Natural Therapies. We skirted around each other in those early years, and both shared a passion for the environment movement. It wasn’t long however, before Stephen branched off to study medicine at the progressive and highly selective, evidence-based program at Newcastle University. He positively flourished through his medical education, ensuring no lecturer escaped without hearing the benefits of a relevant natural remedy or two. He then went on to complete a PhD in clinical pharmacology (in cardiovascular health) under the guidance of the renowned Professor Tony Smith.
The combination of naturopathy (always his rock foundation), clinical medicine and a PhD in pharmacology created a natural intellectual leader in the field. He nurtured this knowledge base and blessed it further with his genuine open kindness, becoming one of the most thoughtful, compassionate, articulate and erudite voices in the field.
I had the pleasure of working with a younger Stephen in the mid-nineties when we were jointly commissioned to undertake a review of the Chinese medicine profession for State health departments, to determine whether the practice should be regulated. We worked closely throughout that year, and I became and remain a grateful beneficiary of his expertise.
Our friendship deepened and our humour worsened over two decades as we sat jointly on various government committees, contributing what we could to guide and help form robust policies for our health sector. The best parts were the debates, teasing of colleagues and the laughs we would share. That continued for many wonderful years of our friendship.
Stephen became Head of the School of Natural and Complementary Medicine at Southern Cross University between 1995-2001, and he led the development and implementation of the Bachelor of Naturopathy program which has graduated 500 colleagues. He also founded Australia’s first naturopathic and complementary medicine Research Centre at Southern Cross. Stephen has also been actively involved at NICM Health Research Institute, serving on the Research Committee as an Adjunct Professor and researcher.
Stephen has been an internationally recognised expert and consultant to industry, government and the tertiary sector in herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, therapeutic foods and the public health of complementary medicine. His publications and presentations have been extensive. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Lady Cilento Award by the Complementary Healthcare Council for his significant and sustained contribution to the field of complementary medicine.
We develop life-long friends based on their openness, care and love, and are attracted to them for their spark, intelligence and humour. Stephen always demonstrated kindness; my whole family remarked on that when he joined us for dinners during the long nights of the Chinese medicine review. His intellect and articulateness were there for all to witness in his lectures, in impromptu dinner conversations and above all in his erudite debates when serving on those challenging advisory committees. Anyone that has worked with Stephen knows he has always had a valuable opinion to be reckoned with.
Stephen was blessed through his partnership of many years with his beautiful, bright and engaging wife Lily. They shared a deep love and admiration for each other that would have so comforted him in his final days.
As hard as it is to say goodbye, I’m eternally grateful for my time with Stephen and for all he’s taught me. I’m sure that’s the case for so many of us who have been blessed to share part of his life. And even so for all the public beneficiaries of Stephen’s decades of research, education and practice.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
Alan Bensoussan
