Colleagues and friends gathered on Friday to raise a glass to mark the retirement of South Eastern Trust’s husband and wife team Dr Ralph Roberts and Dr Penny Hill.
Dr Roberts has been a familiar face to many since joining the Ulster Hospital as a consultant in 1995. A consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Hill joined the maternity team in 2004. Both leave behind a legacy of excellence in their field.
Reflecting on his prestigious career journey, Dr Roberts said, “I was appointed in 1995 and took up post in August 1996 and I am sad to be leaving. Whenever I came on board I increased the number of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Consultants from two to three and now there are 20. I’ve seen a lot of change in that time. I have always been right in the thick of the hospital, it’s a member of my family, that’s how I feel about it.”
Dr Hill spoke of how she will miss the camaraderie amongst the maternity team. “I will miss the friendships that I’ve made and the great times that I have had. I have enjoyed my work and I’m ready to move into a new chapter. It’s so lovely to see so many people here today.”
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Consultant Caroline Bryson added, “We have got obviously mixed emotions today with two of our senior consultants leaving at the same time. They have been a great husband and wife combination and have contributed significantly to obstetrics and gynaecology not just within the South Eastern Trust but across Northern Ireland and wider afield. Most recently Dr Hill has been to South Sudan lending her expertise in areas which are much less fortunate than we are here.
“They will be greatly missed as senior members of the team and we wish them all the very best for the future and the next stage of their retirement.”