It’s the end of an era at Salford Royal with Biomedical Facility Coordinator Stella Crank saying goodbye after 40 years.
As demolition starts on the Clinical Sciences Building, Stella is leaving behind the building where she’s spent much of her working life.
Stella started her career in research in December 1976 at the then Hope Hospital, working as a research technician in the University of Manchester’s orthopaedic surgery department.
She completed her MSc degree in 1985 with a thesis entitled “Prostaglandins in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases” while continuing to work as a senior technician in orthopaedic surgery.
Her many years in Salford have seen her fill several other roles, including research assistant to Professor Charles Galasko, with whom she worked on a number of publications relating specifically to primary and secondary bone cancers. She has also been a Research Associate working with orthopaedic surgery registrars and more recently has been Salford R+D’s Clinical Trials Archivist. She’s also been a member of several scientific committees which have required liaison between the NHS and the University – in fact she seems to be the personification of the adage ‘if you want something done, ask a busy person’.
She says it’s the variety of work she’s been involved in and the many fresh challenges she’s faced that have kept her here for so long.
Stella said: “I’ve always liked the buzz of research and the way people work together as a scientific community, sharing problems and trying to help each other out. There’s an enthusiasm for solving questions that makes life interesting.
“I will miss the people here very much, I’ve enjoyed working with many colleagues across all departments and made many friends over the years, as well as assisting with many of the changes that have occurred at Salford Royal over the last few decades.”
But she is not ready for full-time retirement just yet and will continue to work in research at Wrightington Hospital as well as being employed as the Editorial Assistant for the Shoulder and Elbow Journal.
As Stella starts her phased retirement, she’ll continue to work three days a week but hopes to have a little more leisure time to spend with family and friends in Bolton and as a committee member for a busy local amateur dramatics group.
Biomedical Facility Manager Dr Rob Oliver said: “I have only known Stella for half of her time at Salford Royal, but I can say that it is a great shame to see her leave, and she will be greatly missed. She has always been dedicated and enthusiastic, with time to spare for anyone who has needed her help or advice. In recent years she has committed to keeping the biomedical facility laboratory operating efficiently and smoothly, and for as long as I have known her she has had a smile and a kind word for everyone she has worked with. This week the Clinical Sciences Building demolition has started in earnest, but the biggest hole will be created by Stella’s departure.”