Dr JD (Jack) Bergin was a distinguished physician and member of the Wellington community. Jack was born in Stratford, Taranaki; his father Martin Bernard Bergin was a barrister and solicitor. His mother, Minni (nee Hignett), died when he was twelve, leaving a large family. He was educated at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, and graduated with distinction in medicine from Otago University in 1943, before serving with the New Zealand Medical Corps in the Middle East, Italy and Japan.
He returned to New Zealand and worked in medicine in Dunedin and Wellington Hospitals before travelling to Britain, where he was a student and house physician at the Royal Post Graduate Medical School at Hammersmith. A Nuffield Fellowship led to his appointment at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London, the first New Zealander to be appointed to this institute after the conclusion of the War. During those years in London, he trained with young doctors who became prominent figures in neurology in many parts of the world. With them he remained life-long friends, and with these friendly contacts, maintained his continuing knowledge of new advances and the great changes in medicine, particularly in neurology, which served as a background to his professional career.
His professional life was to be committed to neurology. In 1956, he was appointed neurologist to Wellington Hospital, succeeding Dr I M Allen, New Zealand’s first neurologist who had retired some years previously. The concept of specialisation was still in its infancy and it needed intellectual capacity and tact, as well as clinical competence to demonstrate to his colleagues that the best interests of patients were served by a physician with specialised training. There was also a need to introduce the new technological advances, which were already in practice overseas. He was the driving force behind the establishment of neuroradiology and clinical neurophysiology, which at the time particularly involved EEG. All his skills were called upon in achieving approval for the appointment of a neurosurgeon to Wellington. By 1967, a modern neurological department had been created.
In spite of these formidable administrative demands, John Bergin was above all things a clinical neurologist who was renowned for his careful and perceptive analysis of patients’ problems. He spared neither trouble nor time in application of his undoubted skills. Besides his Wellington Hospital commitment, he had a private practice which attracted patients from afar. For a time he was visiting neurologist to Wanganui and Hawera hospitals. Two of his most treasured and long standing involvements were with the Home of Compassion and Calvary hospitals in Wellington. His integrity and intellect led to his opinion being much sought after in matters of medical jurisprudence relating to neurology. Following his retirement he maintained a lively interest in neurology, and continued to attend the weekly clinical meetings.
Although a large number of people suffer from neurological illness, many of whom are seriously disabled, their care had often fallen short of their needs. Jack Bergin was well aware of this and devoted much energy to trying to fill this gap. The New Zealand Epilepsy Association attracted his support and from 1957 to 1977, he was a member of their council. The application of EEG in Wellington had already led to a great improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of persons suffering from blackouts or fits. Although he was not given to writing scientific papers, he assisted neurological research by occupying a place on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Neurological Association. In professional circles he helped to found the Neurological Association of New Zealand. He was also a New Zealand Foundation Member of the Australasian Association of Neurologists. He became a Fellow of both the RCP and the RACP. In the latter position he served as censor (from 1971 to 1976), Member of the Dominion Committee from 1964 to 1972 (honorary secretary from 1970 to 1972), secretary and chairman of the Advisory Committee on Neurology.
Over a period of 30 years, a host of medical staff learnt the fundamentals of neurology under his guidance. At a different level he trained a number of neurologists, many of whom have gone on to prestigious positions, including Professors of Neurology in the United Kingdom and the United States. He was one of the founders, and later a chairman of the Postgraduate Medical Society in Wellington.
His contribution to his church was no less impressive. He was able to articulate, intellectualise, and simplify aspects of Catholicism, and his arguments were always persuasive. For over 40 years he was an active member of the Catholic Doctors’ Guild of St Luke, SS Cosmas & Damian, which he also served as Master. He had very high intellectual and ethical standards, and addressed several international conferences on medical ethics. He was a strong advocate of the rights of the unborn child. In 1982, he and his wife Lorna were the first New Zealanders appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Council for the Family. In 1990, the Pope recognised Jack Bergin’s considerable contributions and made him a Papal Knight of The Order of St Gregory the Great. He read widely and loved to engage in conversation about history, theology and politics. He was a man of compassion, warmth and humour. Jack Bergin was a constant stimulus to his colleagues and over the years contributed greatly to the society in which he lived.
Jack married Lorna Stark, who survived him. Two of their eight children have become doctors, one of whom is also a neurologist.