Bernard O'Brien

Bernard McCarthy O'Brien (25 December 1924 – 14 August 1993) was an Australian microsurgeon who was considered a pioneer in his field.

Education After attending Xavier College, O'Brien secured a free place at the University of Melbourne where he commenced combined science and medical degrees in 1943.

O'Brien served as president of International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand from 1979 to 1983, and from 1979 to 1981 was the president of the International Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery. He was also the vice-president of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from 1989 to 1991.

For his service to medicine, particularly microsurgery, O'Brien was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1982.

In the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours, O'Brien was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to microsurgery and medical research.

O'Brien was named Victorian of the Year in 1992.

Death and legacy O'Brien died in Kew from lung cancer on 14 August 1993.

Following his death, the Microsurgery Research Centre was renamed the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery with a portrait of O'Brien by artist Paul Fitzgerald being hung in the foyer.