Vale Professor Rinaldo Bellomo AO
Words by colleague and friend Professor Elif Ekinci
It is with profound sadness and deep respect that we mourn the passing of Professor Rinaldo Bellomo.
He was a remarkable person who changed the face of intensive care research and mentored many people, not just in his own field of critical care but across medical disciplines.
For years, I had the privilege of collaborating with Rinaldo on various diabetes projects and co-supervising students. I learned so much from his humble leadership and how he moved through the world with curiosity and compassion.
A giant of a man – brilliant, warm and wise – he shared his knowledge and extended the hand of friendship to everyone who crossed his path, offering sage advice on his many areas of expertise and interest.
Since hearing the devastating news, I’ve had countless conversations with friends and colleagues who have wonderful stories to share about Rinaldo’s collegiality and generosity.
He had an open-door policy, ready to talk through any challenge, offering wise counsel or an invitation to collaborate.
The immense loss we feel is one being felt around the world. As the most published and cited medical researcher in the history of Australian medicine, he leaves an enduring mark on humankind.
There are countless people alive today in all corners of the globe who would not be here were it not for Rinaldo’s legacy in medical and critical care research.
Rinaldo was the Director of Intensive Care Research and Staff Specialist in Intensive Care at Austin Health, Senior Research Advisor and Staff Specialist in Intensive Care at Royal Melbourne Hospital, and held multiple roles at universities and institutes both at home and overseas.
His work has been recognised many times, including being awarded Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to intensive care medicine as a biomedical scientist and researcher.
He was an inspiration to so many of us, and he leaves us far too soon. Our thoughts are with his family.
The world has lost an extraordinary man, but his legacy will shape the future of medicine for generations to come.