Meet a member – Dr David Stabler OAM
Gold Coast orthopaedic surgeon and AMA Queensland Member Dr David Stabler didn’t know until the week before Australia Day that he was being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to his occupation.
His wife manages his email account, and she decided to surprise him with the news. He said it was a welcome but big shock to find out he would be receiving the honour.
Dr Stabler has worked as an orthopaedic surgeon for over 40 years, spending nearly 30 of those involved in leadership bodies such as the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS).
Although he has since taken a step back from leadership roles to concentrate on his practice, his pursuit to make a difference for both patients and doctors has never wavered.
Dr Stabler was first recognised for his dedication to medicine in 2012, receiving a Meritorious Service Medal from the AOA. He said receiving the OAM 12 years later has been an honour, and something he is proud to have achieved.
However, it was his start in orthopaedics that he considers a standout moment of his career.
“Getting on the orthopaedic program in 1978 was very exciting. I can still remember when I found out I was going to be the first AOA trainee in orthopaedics in Townsville.,” Dr Stabler said.
“I had just bought a house but couldn’t say no to being a trainee. It’s funny how these things are imprinted on your mind.
“That was a big moment – getting on the training program, then passing the exams in 1982, and becoming a real live orthopaedic surgeon. It seems like five minutes since then, it's all flashed by.”
After completing the year long training position, a couple of years at the Mater and a final year at Greenslopes, Dr Stabler went overseas in 1983 for a year in specialist training and hand surgery at Derby and Nottingham.
He said his time overseas was a fantastic experience but has enjoyed being settled at the Gold Coast where he has been able to see and create change.
Dr Stabler has been heavily involved with orthopaedic surgery throughout his entire career, and his greatest joy has been sharing this skill and knowledge with his daughter Annabelle as he nears retirement.
“I’ve been working with my daughter who is also an Orthopaedic Surgeon for the last three years, building up her experience and skills,” he said.
“It's great working with her. She's a terrific woman, she’s an excellent surgeon already and I'm incredibly proud of her.
“She's going to be taking over my hand surgery practice, and I'll be then assisting her for another year or two.”
Dr Stabler’s work as a surgeon, on boards, committees, and societies has always been with the intention of making positive change, and his reasoning for becoming an AMA member is no different.
“The thing about the AMA is that it's us, it's our body and it's our community - it's people exactly like us,” he said.
“I've always been somebody who wanted to be on boards and committees so I could make a difference, and the people at AMA Queensland, of course, are exactly the same.
“They are people who are going the extra mile to try to make things better, and not only for doctors, but also for patients.”
Dr Stabler has been a member of AMA Queensland since 1975. We thank him for his continuous support and congratulate him for his continued dedication to orthopaedics.