Degree marks rheumatologist's research career

Sixty-two years after gaining his first University of Otago qualification, Dr Richard Wigley...
Sixty-two years after gaining his first University of Otago qualification, Dr Richard Wigley prepares to graduate again today. Photo by Jane Dawber.
When University of Otago medical graduate Dr Richard Wigley first decided to tackle rheumatology research about 40 years ago, it was partly because it was a neglected area of study.

"Aches and pains were dismissed as just a part of life."

Other people were focused more on diseases that could kill, rather than on those that can "disable you and make you miserable" for many years, he recalled.

Four decades of research will be further recognised when Dr Wigley, now aged 87 and a long-time resident of Palmerston North, graduates from the university again with a doctor of science degree today.

This earned degree recognises the excellence of his published research, including in rheumatology.

He will be one of more than 320 graduands in all disciplines to graduate in person from the university in a ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall at 3pm.

"It's obviously nice to have 40 years of work recognised," he said.

He also emphasised that many other people, including fellow researchers, had contributed to the 100 scientific papers he had authored or co-authored over the years.

"It's not a solo performance."

Also a combined effort was a book he edited, on The Primary Prevention of Rheumatic Disease, published in 1994.

In 1981, he was one of the founders of the Copcord studies - the Community Oriented Programme for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases - which have been a source of continuing interest for him and have involved many developing countries, including the Philippines and India.

Dr Wigley was born and grew up in Timaru and graduated with an MB ChB from Otago University in 1947.

"I performed rather poorly as a medical student," he said with a smile.

He joked that he claimed to be a "late developer".

In the 2003 New Year's Honours, some of that learning was recognised when he gained an ONZM for services to medicine, in particular, rheumatology.

Earlier this year, the Royal Australian College of Physicians acknowledged his outstanding contributions by presenting him with the John Sands Medal.

Dunedin Hospital rheumatologist and the head of the medical section in Otago University's department of medical and surgical sciences Prof John Highton said Dr Wigley's doctorate was a "major achievement", and a recognition of the "very substantial contribution" he had made to medical research in a "huge diversity of areas" for a long time.

Dr Wigley said rheumatic diseases remained badly underemphasised by the World Health Organisation and did not rank among the Ministry of Health's higher priorities.

Ultimately, it had been people's suffering with rheumatic disease that had driven him over the years, and not just the desire to do research.

"The main thing is doing something for the patient sitting next to you, or lying in bed," he said.

- john.gibb@odt.co.nz

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