Monash Health is mourning the passing of Professor Henry Burger, former Director of Endocrinology at Prince Henry’s Hospital and Southern Health (now Monash Health) and the Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (now the Hudson Institute).
Prof Burger passed away on 10 October 2024 at the age of 91. Born in Vienna, Austria, on 23 May 1933, Henry Burger came to Australia as a child, later attending the University of Melbourne, where he obtained first class honours and first place in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, winning eleven of the twelve prizes on offer to his graduating year in 1956.
Following postgraduate training in London and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in the USA, he returned to Australia as Associate Director of the newly established Prince Henry’s Hospital Medical Research Centre.
A practising clinical endocrinologist with research interests in pituitary and reproductive endocrinology, he played a key leadership role in the centre’s development. He served as director from 1969 until he retired in 1998, continuing as the centre became Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research in 1990.
He held his clinical role as Director of Endocrinology at Prince Henry’s Hospital and then Monash Medical Centre until 1998. He remained clinically active and engaged with the Endocrinology Unit until 2014. He served as Chairman of the Senior Medical Staff at Prince Henry’s Hospital and on numerous hospital committees.
Under his leadership, the health service and institute became the preeminent centres in Australia for clinical and experimental endocrinology. Prof Burger had a long history of working on the gonadal hormone inhibin, leading to its purification and cloning and the subsequent exploration of its physiology.
His research and clinical interests included the physiology of menopause and management of the menopause transition, anovulatory infertility, hirsutism, male infertility and female sexual dysfunction.
He leaves a great and lasting legacy as a mentor to dozens of fellows and associates who went on to make contributions to science and medical practice.
Prof Burger trained many current leaders in Endocrinology, Menopausal Medicine, and Gynaecology. His wisdom and generosity of spirit were greatly appreciated, and his influence within the national and international endocrine community cannot be overstated.
As one of his long-time former colleagues said, ‘Henry was an extraordinary person with a huge impact on many of us. His scientific and professional legacy is truly profound.’
‘Henry was an extraordinary person and an inspiration to many.’
‘He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working with him.’
To Prof Burger’s many friends, colleagues, and family, Monash Health expresses sorrow at his passing, and immense thanks for his support and achievements in an extraordinary life well lived.
Prof Burger’s extensive list of notable achievements include:
- Established Australia’s first menopause clinic at Prince Henry’s Hospital in 1971, with the late Dr Jean Hailes AM.
- Published more than 600 papers, edited numerous books and was invited to speak at over 180 national and international conferences.
- Recipient of Honorary Fellowship, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ad eundem) 1990.
- Awarded Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) 1993.
- Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 1994.
- Received the Dale Medal, the highest accolade bestowed by the Society of Endocrinology, UK, 1997.
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, London 1998.
- Distinguished Physician Award of the US Endocrine Society 1999.
- Honorary Doctorate, University of Liege, Belgium 1999.
- Awarded the NAMS/Wyeth Ayerst Peri-menopause Research Award; this award recognises an individual whose published works have served to increase understanding of clinical management of health issues pertaining to peri-menopausal women 2000.
- Recipient of Honorary Fellowship, the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (ad eundem) 2002.
- Awarded the Centenary Medal for service to Australian society and science in endocrinology 2003.
- Appointed as an Honorary Member, Society for Endocrinology 2005.
- Awarded the NAMS/Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals Morrie M. Gelfand Leadership Award in Androgen Research 2005.
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Monash University, 2014.
- Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science (FAHMS), 2015.
- Doctor of Medical Science honoris causa from Melbourne University, 2017.