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ABC Travelling Fellows 2008 Diary Eigth stop: Denver 17 May to 19 May Saturday 17th May For a change, the check-in was a breeze, and the flight to Denver OK. The fellows were met by Bennie Lindeque (ABC 1992) and Evelina Burger (ABC 2000), both South Africans now working in Denver. Dr Burger scooped up the luggage and took it to the hotel, while the fellows boarded the van for a 2 ˝ drive to the Garden of the Gods National Park, sustained by sandwiches and beer. A beautiful place, with superb sandstone formations, and a “Trading Post” for souvenirs. Richard Williams took the opportunity to go native, with a cowboy hat which he has been wearing ever since. The journey back to town got a bit tense due to the renal effects of beer, but no accidents occurred. We were taken to the home of Dr Robert D’Ambrosia, department head, for drinks before dinner at an excellent local Italian restaurant. Not an early night.
The fellows at the Garden of the Gods Sunday 18th May A day at leisure, so leisure was taken. Late breakfast leisurely taken, then a leisurely walk to the shopping mall to buy presents for those left at home. The fellows filled their day with personal admin, exercise and rest, before the 4.30pm pick up by Dr Lindeque. We were taken to Dr Burger’s home for a barbecue dinner with faculty, residents and friends. An excellent steak dinner, washed down with local beer and South African spirit, all taken in warm sunshine and excellent company.
Looking across Denver to the Rockies
The fellows with Drs Burger, Lindeque and D'Ambrosia Monday 19th May For Rob, Andrew and Alasdair, the pickup was 0600, to be taken by Dr Jennifer wolf to Denver Health for the Trauma Meeting. This involved a lively discussion of trauma care, led by Dr Wade Smith. From there we travelled to University of Colorado-Denver medical campus. We were treated to tours of the research and clinical facilities, which created much envy. Even the regular hospital rooms would put private hospitals in the UK to shame, and the executive rooms would stand comparison with the best hotels.
Research buildings After lunch in the orthopaedic department the fellows scattered to clinical sessions at Denver Health (trauma clinic and theatre, Dr Smith, thanks to Navid, Trauma Fellow, for transport) and UCD (spine clinic, Dr Burger; tumour theatre, Dr Lindeque; hand clinic, Dr Wolf; arthroplasty clinic, Dr Dayton; VA clinic, Dr Bucknell; sports clinic Dr Vidal). At 4pm, we gathered back at the children’s Hospital at UCD for presentations by the fellows to a large audience of faculty and residents.
Andrew Barrow probes virtual edge After a quick stop to drop off stuff at the hotel, it was out to Del Frisco’s Restaurant, for an excellent dinner with faculty and residents. Dr D’Ambrosia led the oration to the fellows, and Richard Williams and Andrew Barrow replied with heartfelt thanks for our warm welcome here. After a few lewd jokes, it was back to Dr Burger’s house for a sing-song around the piano (Richard Williams on tinkling duties), more networking and beer and biltong. Do we really have to go back to the hotel to pack and get ready for the 0730 pickup? Apparently, yes.
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