Dr Maarouf-Hassan

Last year, Dr Maarouf-Hassan was stabbed to death in her surgery by one of her patients. This year, in the February 5th edition of the Australian Medical Association Journal, "Australian Medicine", a tribute was published. Its author was Associate Professor Leanne Rowe, a rural GP and Deputy Chancellor at Monash University.

In her essay, Professor Rowe spoke of Dr Maarouf-Hassan's life.

"She was born in Syria and graduated from medicine in 1978. While completing her training as an ophthalmologist, she also developed a passion for mathematics, Arabic literature and politics. Khulod emigrated from Syria to Australia in 1986 with her husband. Before they could become registered in their respective professions in Australia, the couple worked very long hours for many years in their Hastings bar milk ..."

"When her three young daughters were settled at school in 1999, Khulod excelled in the Australian medical entry exam. She chose the GP training program because she wanted to carry on the proud tradition of her family in Syria, by making a difference to disadvantaged people in Australia.

Khulod was passionate about assisting refugees in her practice. On the weekend before her death, she picked buckets of olives in the rain to bottle for the refugee food bank. On the night before her death, Khulod contributed to a professional development event for doctors on refugee health..."

Professor Rowe also quoted the eulogy given by Dr Maarouf-Hassan's 21 year old daughter.

"My mum had no disguises. She opened her heart fully to everyone. She shared her love and compassion unconditionally with everyone. I have always thought of my mum not as a person, but as a place. She radiated an oasis of calm, tranquility and love and warmth. A place where anything could be healed with a kiss. Any disaster could be solved with a smile. Any sadness could be banished with a laugh."

Remember.