Retired medical oncologist Kevin Patterson chronicles the history of cancer care in South Australia over the last 40 years as told to him in a series of interviews with the clinicians involved.
From Apartheid to Oncology: Dr Brian Stein’s Journey
Dr Brian Stein discusses his journey from growing up under apartheid in South Africa to training in Adelaide and Roswell Park, his shift into medical oncology, and his work in haematology, transplantation and head & neck cancer.
He recounts founding private clinics (Ashford, Tennyson), running clinical trials including early imatinib treatment, changes in supportive care and therapies over decades, and reflects on survivorship and the future of oncology.
17 Aug 2026
The life and times of Dr Ken Pittman
In this episode Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Ken Pittman about his life from Adelaide childhood and school days through medical training, international research in Leeds, and building oncology services in Australia. Ken reflects on clinical work, trials, and advances in cancer care over three decades.The conversation covers the evolution of treatments and supportive care, experiences in public and private practice, memorable clinical stories, and Ken’s approach to patient communication and evidence‑based medicine, finishing with his plans for retirement and life beyond clinical work.
9 Jul 2026
From Adelaide to Wisconsin: Dr Jim Cleary’s Journey in Cancer Care
Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Jim Cleary about his life and career tracing cancer services: from a peripatetic childhood and Jesuit schooling in Adelaide to medical training and early oncology work at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.The episode covers his oncology and palliative care training, opioid research, work in the United States (Wisconsin and Indiana), leadership roles including the World Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance and engagement with the Vatican, and reflections on the opioid crisis and supportive oncology.Dr Cleary also discusses balancing family with training, international health work, and his semi-retirement plans while maintaining strong ties to Australia.
2 Jul 2026
Dr Dusan Kotasek, his life and career in medical oncology
Kevin Patterson interviews Dr Dusan Kotasek about his journey from Zlín in the former Czechoslovakia to Australia, his medical training and the path that led him into medical oncology.
The episode covers his work in stem cell therapies and pivotal clinical trials (including early imatinib/GIST research), the growth of private cancer services culminating in the Tennyson Centre, and his retirement life focused on farming, gardening and planting trees.
23 May 2026
From Timber Mill to Tumor Boards: Professor Bogda Koczwara’s Remarkable Journey
In this episode of Kevi's Cancer Chronicles, host Kevin interviews Professor Bogda Koczwara about her life from rural Poland to becoming a leader in Australian oncology. Bogda recounts her medical training at Flinders, migration to Australia, and the formative experiences that shaped her career.
The conversation covers the rapid development of cancer services at Flinders Medical Centre, the creation of survivorship clinics, national leadership roles in MOGA and COSA, the ACCORD research workshop, and her current role directing the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship.
29 Apr 2026
Sailing, Science, and Service: Dorothy Keeefe's Extraordinary Voyage
In this episode Dorothy Keeefe shares her life from childhood sailing in Essex to medical training and an eight-month tall-ship voyage to Australia.
She discusses choosing oncology, her mucositis research, leadership in supportive cancer care, and steering major health reforms including the Australian Cancer Plan and a national lung screening program.
31 Mar 2026
Forging a Cancer Centre: Ian Olver’s 40-Year Revolution in Care
Kevin interviews Professor Ian Olver about his career spanning clinical trials, supportive care, and the formation of comprehensive cancer services in South Australia, including his leadership at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and national roles.The episode explores his early influences, international training, multidisciplinary and telemedicine initiatives, global collaborations, bioethics work, and the personal faith and family life that shaped his approach to care.
17 Dec 2025
From Malta to Modern Oncology: Dr Francis Parnis on Building Cancer Care in South Australia
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you're listening. Welcome to Kevi's Cancer Podcast. The initial aim of the podcast is to trace the history of cancer services in South Australia over the last 30 years, whilst interviewing and introducing some of the clinicians who have been involved in the development of these services.In this episode host Kevin interviews Dr Francis Parnas (Paz), a recently retired medical oncologist and member of the Class of ’85. Francis recounts his early life in Nigeria and Malta, migration to Australia, medical training in Adelaide and London, the choice of oncology, launching private cancer services and clinical trials, the creation of a standalone cancer centre, and his decision to retire.
9 Dec 2025
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