John Cairney

John Cairney (8 October 1898 – 5 August 1966) was the New Zealand Director-General of Health and Inspector-General of Hospitals, an anatomist, a medical superintendent and a writer and painter.

Cairney was born in Greymouth, New Zealand, on 8 October 1898. He attended Greymouth District High School then medical school at the University of Otago where he graduated MBChB in 1922 and MD in 1925. He continued his career in administration moving to Wellington Hospital in 1936 as director of clinical services becoming medical superintendent in 1940. He was Director-General until 1959.

As well as his administrative positions Cairney wrote several books on anatomy for medical students and student nurses, some co-authored with Professor W. P. Gowland and his son Dr John Cairney (jnr). In the 1960 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Selected publications

Gowland, W. P., & Cairney, J. (1941). Anatomy and physiology for nurses / by W. P. Gowland, M.D., F.R.C.S., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Otago, New Zealand, and John Cairney, M.D., Director of Clinical Services, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. Cairney, J. (1952). Surgery for students of nursing / by John Cairney ; with a foreword by M.I. Lambie. Peryer. Cairney, J., & Cairney, J. (1959). First studies in anatomy and physiology / by John Cairney and John Cairney. (2nd ed.). N.M. Peryer. Cairney, J., & Cairney, J. (1966). The human body : a survey of structure and function / by John Cairney and J. Cairney. N.M. Peryer.