RACP marks the loss of a giant in medical research

Dear members,

It is with great sadness that I acknowledge the death of Professor Rinaldo Bellomo AO, one of the most visionary and influential clinician-scientists of our time, who passed away on Tuesday following a short illness.

Professor Bellomo was a Fellow of our College and an internationally revered figure in intensive care medicine.

 A prolific researcher, academic leader and mentor, he leaves behind a legacy of clinical innovation, scientific excellence and humanistic care that has impacted the lives of millions across the globe.

He became an internationally renowned figure in intensive care medicine, distinguished by the breadth and depth of his contributions to acute care research. At the time of his passing, Professor Bellomo had authored more than 1,800 publications, amassed over 150,000 citations, and held an h-index of 165 – achievements that speak to an extraordinary career grounded in scientific rigour and clinical impact.

Professor Bellomo received many honours throughout his career, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 and receiving the RACP Eric Susman Prize in 2014. He was honoured in the RACP’s 75th anniversary celebrations as the Victorian recipient for outstanding contributions to health through research and education.

Professor Bellomo held numerous academic appointments, including Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University, Professor in the Department of Critical Care at the University of Melbourne, Honorary Fellow at The Florey Institute, Honorary Professorial Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and at The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney. He was also the co-founder and co-director of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, where he trained and inspired a generation of critical care researchers now influencing practice worldwide in fields such as acute kidney injury and sepsis.

His passion for collaboration was a defining hallmark of his career. As the founding Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group, Professor Bellomo played a pivotal role in creating what is now regarded as the most influential critical care research collective in the world. His work has transformed the practice of intensive care, benefiting countless patients globally.

Though an eminent researcher, Professor Bellomo remained, at his core, a physician. His background in respiratory medicine and his enduring interest in renal failure fuelled a lifelong commitment to improving the care of the most critically ill patients.

Professor Bellomo was admired not only for his intellect and scientific leadership, but also for his wit, humility, and deep compassion. Those who knew Rinaldo personally will remember him not only for his formidable intellect, but for his infectious enthusiasm, generosity, and deep humanity. He was a mentor, friend, and guiding figure to clinicians and researchers across all career stages.

Professor Bellomo’s legacy will endure not only through his transformative body of work but also through the many lives he touched and inspired. We extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Debbie, daughter Hilary and brother Paolo. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

Professor Rinaldo Bellomo will be remembered as one of the greatest minds in medicine, and as a person whose warmth and wisdom inspired all those fortunate enough to know him. His work, his values, and his spirit will live on.

In lieu of flowers, Rinaldo’s family would welcome donations to support his research legacy.

Professor Jennifer Martin
President, RACP