The doctor assaulted outside Box Hill hospital has died
The highly respected surgeon critically injured in a one-punch attack at Box Hill hospital last month has died.
Dr Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann suffered a blow to the head in the foyer of Box Hill Hospital on the evening of Tuesday May 30.
He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.
It’s believed the Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann was attacked after calling on a man to stop smoking near the hospital entrance.
The doctor, 41, has since been on life support in the Alfred Hospital since that night, and his family last night made the heartbreaking decision to switch it off.
A Mill Park man, 22, remains in police custody, charged with intentionally causing serious injury.
However, police are expected to review the charges pending the results of the post-mortem.
Statement from Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett
It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of our colleague and friend, Mr Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann.
Patrick, who was 41, a husband and father of two young daughters, suffered critical injuries during an incident with a member of the public at the Box Hill Hospital on May 30.
He passed away at The Alfred hospital overnight.
Patrick was a respected and admired member of the senior medical staff at Eastern Health and cardiothoracic surgeon at a number of hospitals in Melbourne.
Patrick was a passionate patient advocate, a generous teachers and had particular skill in thoracic surgery.
His work was truly outstanding and his commitment and dedication will be sorely missed by his colleagues, friends and patients. Patrick not only leaves a lasting legacy as a surgeon but as a decent and genuine human being dedicated to the wellbeing of others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Patrick’s family at this time of unbearable loss. We will continue to offer them whatever support they need. We would also like to thanks out staff and colleagues at The Alfred for the care provided to Patrick.
Patrick’s family has requested privacy at this time.