Chris O'Brien (surgeon)

For other people named Chris O'Brien, see Chris O'Brien (disambiguation).

Chris O'Brien
Born	3 January 1952(1952-01-03) Regents Park, New South Wales
Died	4 June 2009(2009-06-04) (aged 57) Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney
Education	Parramatta Marist High School, University of Sydney
Years active	1976–2009
Known for	RPA (TV series)
Relatives	Gail (Bamford) O'Brien (wife) Adam, Juliette, James (children)
Profession	Surgeon
Institutions	Royal Prince Alfred Hospital University of Sydney Sydney South West Area Health Service
Specialism	Head and neck surgery
Research	Head and neck cancer

Christopher John "Chris" O'Brien AO (3 January 1952 – 4 June 2009) was an Australian head and neck surgeon. He achieved national recognition as a compassionate surgeon in the reality television series RPA.

Early life

O'Brien was born into a working class family and grew up in a Housing Commission home in the Sydney suburb of Regents Park.^[1] He was educated at Parramatta Marist High School, where he was dux of the class of 1969, he later graduated in medicine from the University of Sydney.

Medical career

O'Brien rose to the positions of Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre based at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, Professor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Director of the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, and Director of Cancer Services for the Sydney South West Area Health Service. He founded the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society in 1998 and was President of the Society in 2004.^[2] During his career, O'Brien lectured widely overseas, wrote several book papers and wrote more than 100 scientific papers.^[1]

O'Brien was instrumental in establishing the Lifehouse Sydney Cancer Centre.^[3] Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said "Chris's vision was for an integrated cancer treatment centre so that patients would no longer have to navigate their way through all the different elements of dealing with their illness alone." ^[4]

Television

O'Brien first appeared on the medical reality series RPA in 1997.^[1]

Illness and death

O'Brien was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour (glioblastoma multiforme) in November 2006. He underwent surgery on three occasions and radiotherapy. He detailed his battle with the illness in his autobiographical book Never Say Die.^[5] He died on 4 June 2009.

O'Brien was given a state funeral service at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.^[6] He is survived by his wife Gail and children Adam, Juliette and James.

Prime Minister Rudd flew to Sydney to be with O'Brien shortly before his death. After his death, Rudd said ^[7]

I believe Chris O'Brien has been a truly exceptional Australian. Chris O'Brien was a man of leadership, vision and courage. He inspired people, both through his work as a cancer specialist and through his own three-year battle with an aggressive, highly malignant brain tumour.

Recognition and awards

• 2009 - O'Brien was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia posthumously ^[7][8]

"For continued service to medicine and to the community through advocacy and fundraising roles for the development of integrated care and clinical research facilities for people with cancer, particularly the establishment of the Lifehouse Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital"

• 2005 - Member of the Order of Australia ^[9]

"For service to medicine, particularly to the specialty of head and neck surgery through leadership as a clinical researcher and teacher"

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Warne-Smith, Drew (2009-06-06). "Doctor Chris O'Brien lives on through his legacy". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25594861-2702,00.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Professor Christopher J. O’Brien". Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute. 2008. http://www.shnci.org/Pages/h&nstaff01.html. Retrieved 2009-06-13. 
3. ^ "Lifehouse at RPA". Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. http://www.lifehouseatrpa.org.au/index.aspx. Retrieved 2009-06-13. 
4. ^ "Rudd pays tribute to Chris O'Brien, announces state funeral". smh.com.au. 2009-06-05. http://www.smh.com.au/national/rudd-pays-tribute-to-chris-obrien-announces-state-funeral-20090605-bxxs.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
5. ^ O'Brien, Chris (2008-10-01). Never Say Die. Harper Collins. ISBN 9780732288099. 
6. ^ Huxley, John (2009-06-11). "Chris O'Brien praised as an outstanding achiever". smh.com.au. http://www.smh.com.au/national/chris-obrien-praised-as-an-outstanding-achiever-20090611-c45f.html. Retrieved 2009-06-13. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Rose, Danny (2009-06-08). "Professor Chris O'Brien appointed Officer of the Order of Australia". news.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25602908-662,00.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ "It's An Honour". Australian Government. 2009-06-08. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1140793&search_type=simple&showInd=true. Retrieved 2009-06-13. 
9. ^ "It's An Honour". Australian Government. 2005-01-26. http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1057685&search_type=advanced&showInd=true. Retrieved 2009-06-13. 

External links

• Sydney Morning Herald obituary
• 60 Minutes program transcript

Persondata
Name	Obrien, Chris
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	3 January 1952
Place of birth	Regents Park, New South Wales
Date of death	4 June 2009
Place of death	Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney