CONSULTANT RETIRES AFTER TWENTY YEARS
AT LISBURN HOSPITAL
by Julie Spence
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| Maternity Unit staff: Sara Shahid, Mr. Ramez, Mike Crooks, Zoe Boreland and Alison Love. US31-707SPS | From left: Mike Crooks with fellow Lagan Valley consultants Dr. Lorraine Harrison, Mr Sumuru and Garry Thompson. US31-708SP |
STAFF at the Lagan Valley have said a fond farewell to one of the hospital's best known consultants, Mr Michael Crooks, who has retired.
Mr Crooks has been a consultant obstetrician and
gynecologist at the hospital
for almost 20 years.
He was born in Dublin and spent most of his childhood in Armagh where his father was Dean of the Cathedral.
After graduating from Queen's University he worked in hospitals across Northern Ireland before becoming lecturer consultant at the Ulster Hospital.
After seven years in the post, Mr. Crooks came to Lisburn to become one of Lagan Valley Hospital's top consultants.
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Now, almost two decades later, Mr. Crooks he is 'sad' to be leaving behind friends and colleagues but is looking forward to making the most of his retirement.
"I will miss all the friends I made at the hospital enormously," said Mr Crooks.
"I have had a wonderful time in Lagan Valley and I have made many friends there.
"I would like to thank all of my colleagues and my secretary Eleanor Martin. We all worked together very well and it has been a wonderful place to work."
While Mr. Crooks still remains undecided about what to do with his retirement, he is making the most of the good weather and spending plenty of time in the garden.
"I have plenty to do," he said. "I have always been keen on sports and I have plenty to do in the garden. "I am going to take the summer to get the garden sorted out and then I will decide what I would like to do next."
Mr Crooks' colleagues at Lagan Valley Hospital paid a fond farewell recently.
Speaking at the function, Director of Acute Services Alan Finn said: "Mike was a highly respected obstetrician and gynecologist.
"He always put the patient's individual needs at the centre of his work.
"He was flexible and co-operative, supportive to the midwives in developing their roles and instrumental in sustaining local services.
"He will be missed by the Trust and particularly by local women to whom he provided a dedicated service for almost 20 years.
"On behalf of all his many friends and colleagues at Lagan Valley Hospital, we wish him health and happiness and long retirement."
Ulster Star
12/08/2005
