I photograph many young University of Otago graduates here in Dunedin, usually right as their exciting life story begins…
I was surprised as anyone to learn (after the fact) that I was to be photographing University of Otago medical graduate Dr Kenneth Melvin.
Dr Melvin (85), has graduated with a doctor of medicine degree, reflecting his innovative cancer research and he also still flies his own light aircraft in Oregon!
Dr Melvin has lived in the United States for the past 50 years, having held many senior medical leadership posts, including. Tufts University Medical School, Boston. Professor of medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University, and Chief of Medicine at St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Centre, Portland, Oregon, before retiring.
Dr Melvin also served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during his medical education at Otago University. He had flown P51 Mustang fighters and Vampire jets with the No4 Squadron from the Taieri Airfield.
Dr Melvin was accompanied by his son Kenneth Paul Melvin, who had also previously graduated at Otago with an MBChB degree.
