It is with profound sadness that The Florey mourns the passing of Professor Rinaldo Bellomo AO.
Professor Bellomo was an extraordinary mentor and collaborator to many of us at The Florey. He led a transformative career as a pioneer and ‘father figure’ to the field of intensive care medicine and critical care research.
To date, Professor Bellomo is the most published biomedical investigator in the history of Australian medicine, and the most published intensive care investigator in the world. In 2018, he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to intensive care medicine as a biomedical scientist and researcher.
Professor Bellomo held numerous prestigious roles across Melbourne’s health and medical research institutions, including Honorary Professorial Fellow at The Florey, Director of Intensive Care Research at The Austin Hospital and Senior Research Advisor in Intensive Care Research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Professor Yugeesh Lankadeva, who leads The Florey’s MEGASCORES Sepsis Program in which Professor Bellomo was a vital contributor, honours him as one of the greatest minds in intensive care medicine.
His intellect, compassion and unwavering dedication shaped the field and touched countless lives – we will not see his like again.
Professor Lankadeva encourages us to carry forward the important work done by Rinaldo throughout his career, particularly in sepsis and cardiac surgery.
“Knowing Rinaldo, he would expect nothing less,” says Professor Lankadeva. “He empowered all of us to think boldly, collaborate deeply, and confront the greatest medical challenges of our time.
“Dear Rinaldo, your memory will live through us, and your legacy will continue through the new knowledge we create, and the countless lives we will touch by enacting positive change to health outcomes for our most vulnerable patients.”
We at The Florey have been fortunate to work closely with Professor Rinaldo Bellomo, witness his impact and learn from his expertise. We remain committed to work towards greater discoveries to improve health outcomes for patients in operating theatres and intensive care units across Australia and beyond, carrying his torch into the future.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Professor Bellomo’s family and colleagues.
Vale Professor Bellomo.
