Honours For Medical Director Of Hyperbaric Medicine Unit At Christchurch Hospital
Associate Professor Mike Davis, Medical Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Christchurch Hospital has won an
international award for his outstanding contribution to diving medicine.
Professor Davis has been awarded the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society 2005 Charles W Shilling Award.
A keen diver, with a long time interest in diving safety and medicine, Professor Davis has led the CDHB’s Hyperbaric
Medicine Unit for many years, somewhat isolated in his role given that the other nearest hospital-based facility is in
Melbourne.
As well as Professor Davis’ clinical commitments, he has been editor of the Journal of the South Pacific Underwater
Medicine Society since 2002, a publication renowned for its scientific rigour and with an international readership.
Professor Davis’ citation said he had ‘almost singlehandedly battled to deliver high quality medical education in the
field as well as providing equally high quality medical resources to the recreational and professional diving community.
The quality of local medical research in diving and hyperbaric medicine has lifted palpably in order to reach his
required standard.’
Professor Davis has also taken on the role of overseeing the first academic, university based course in Diving and
Hyperbaric Medicine in the world – the Diploma Course offered at Auckland University.
ENDS