In memory of Professor Henry George Burger AO

Hudson Institute of Medical Research is mourning the passing of one of its founding fathers, Henry G Burger AO.

Born in Vienna, Austria on 23 May 1933, Henry Burger came to Australia as a child, later attending the University of Melbourne, where he obtained first class honours and first place in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, winning eleven of the twelve prizes on offer to his graduating year in 1956.

Following postgraduate training in London and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in the USA, he returned to Australia as Associate Director of the newly established Prince Henry’s Hospital Medical Research Centre.

A practicing clinical endocrinologist with research interests in pituitary and reproductive endocrinology, he played a key leadership role in the development of the Centre and served as Director from 1969, continuing in the role as the Centre became Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research in 1990, until he retired in 1998.

He held his clinical role as Director of Endocrinology at Prince Henry’s Hospital and then Monash Medical Centre until 1998. He remained clinically active and engaged with the Endocrinology Unit until 2014.

On his retirement Prof Burger continued as Director Emeritus of Prince Henry’s Institute, supporting the merger with the Monash Institute of Medical Research, which in 2014 created Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

Professor Burger had a long history working in the area of the gonadal hormone inhibin, leading to its purification and cloning, and the subsequent exploration of its physiology. His research and clinical interests included the physiology of menopause and management of the menopause transition, anovulatory infertility, hirsutism, male infertility and female sexual dysfunction.

He leaves a great and lasting legacy as mentor to dozens of fellows and associates who went on to make contributions in science and/or medical practice. His wisdom and generosity of spirit were greatly appreciated and his influence within the national and international endocrine community cannot be overstated.

As one of his long-time former colleagues put it, Henry was an extraordinary person with a huge impact on so many of us. His scientific and professional legacy is truly profound. 

Prof Burger’s extensive list of notable achievements includes

• Established Australia’s first menopause clinic, at Prince Henry’s Hospital in 1971, with the late Dr Jean Hailes AM
• Published more than 600 papers, edited numerous books and was invited to speak at over 180 national and international conferences
• Recipient of Honorary Fellowship, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ad eundem) 1990
• Awarded Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) 1993
• Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 1994
• Received the Dale Medal, the highest accolade bestowed by the Society of Endocrinology, UK, 1997
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, London 1998
• Distinguished Physician Award of the US Endocrine Society 1999
• Honorary Doctorate, University of Liege, Belgium 1999
• Awarded the NAMS/Wyeth Ayerst Peri-menopause Research Award; this award recognises an individual whose published works have served to increase understanding of clinical management of health issues pertaining to peri-menopausal woman 2000
• Recipient of Honorary Fellowship, the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (ad eundem) 2002
• Awarded the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society and science in endocrinology 2003
• Appointed as an Honorary Member, Society for Endocrinology 2005
• Awarded the NAMS/Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals Morrie M. Gelfand Leadership Award in Androgen Research 2005
• Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Monash University
• Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science (FAHMS), 2015.

To all of Prof Burger’s many friends, colleagues and family, Hudson Institute expresses sorrow at his passing and immense thanks for his support and achievements in a great life, well lived.

You can read more about Henry Burger’s fascinating life in this interview.