Mary Taylor Burnell

Career After graduation, she became a resident medical officer at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital in 1932 and 1933. During this time she was the only anaesthetist at the hospital.

In 1953 Burnell was elected as president of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists and in 1966 she was named dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, the first woman to hold the position of dean.

Awards and honors In 1955 she was elected to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, where she would be named an honorary life member in 1973. In 1968, she was also awarded a fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists by the Royal College of Surgeons in recognition of her efforts in fostering overseas connections.

Personal life She married G.H. Burnell, one of her tutors in medicine at Adelaide University, in 1934.