The Chris O’Brien Fund supports a prestigious lecture in memory of Dr. O’Brien at the International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, held every three years. The fund also supports the Chris O’Brien Traveling Scholar Award, enabling a young head and neck surgeon to advance their education in the United States or Australia/New Zealand.
In Memory of Dr. Chris O’Brien
In 2008 the American Head and Neck Society and the Australia/New Zealand Head and Neck Society established the Chris O’Brien Fund in a joint effort to honor Dr. Chris O’Brien. Dr. O’Brien was a founder of the Sydney (Australia) Head and Neck Cancer Institute and active member of both societies. Dr. O’Brien was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in 2006 and although his initial treatment was successful, after a valiant and courageous battle, he passed away on June 4, 2009. He did, however, live to see the first recipient of the Chris O’Brien International Lecture and Traveling Scholar Award named.
Professor O’Brien led a life unparalleled by many. He graduated in medicine from the University of Sydney in 1976 and then completed his residency and surgical training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He decided to specialize in head and neck surgery and undertook clinical fellowships in head and neck surgery and oncology at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in England and at the University of Alabama, USA, returning to Australia in 1987 to join the staff of RPAH as a consultant head and neck surgeon. There he contributed to the expansion of the clinical service, making it one of the largest in the country, and also established the largest comprehensive head and neck database in Australia and also one of the largest in the world. He also established a basic research program and an international clinical fellowship program under the umbrella of the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, which he founded in 2002.
Dr. O’Brien achieved two postgraduate degrees from the University of Sydney – a Masters of Surgery for his basic research in microvascular surgery and a Doctorate in Medicine for his work on the management of metastatic cancer in the neck. He authored more than 100 scientific papers and 17 book chapters and has been honored with invitations to many countries and institutions as a visiting professor and guest lecturer, including invitations to give numerous prestigious named lectures: the Hayes Martin Lecture in Washington in 2004, the Eugene Myers International Lecture in Los Angeles 2005, the inaugural Jatin P Shah Lecture in Prague 2006 and the Semon Lecture in London 2008. He was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in recognition of his contribution to the training of young British surgeons. His published works contributed significantly to our understanding of the patterns of metastatic spread of cutaneous malignancies and their management.
In 1998, Professor O’Brien founded the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society, a multidisciplinary society comprising of surgeons of all disciplines, radiation and medical oncologists and allied health professionals. He was President in 2004 and served on Council of the AHNS from 2005-2008. He was a founding member of the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies, and served on its council throughout his active career. In 2003 Professor O’Brien became Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre, based at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, while maintaining all of his clinical, teaching and research responsibilities. He worked to transform the Sydney Cancer Centre into a $250 million world-class comprehensive cancer center, supported by the Government and philanthropic funds raised by him, which is now called the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Professor O’Brien was widely known to the people of Australia for his many appearances on the award winning reality TV program RPA. He was made a Member the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to medicine, on Australia Day in 2005. He was to receive the highest civilian Honor, AO, (Officer of the Order of Australia), from the Prime Minister of Australia, on the Queen’s Birth Day celebrations, in the first week of June, but unfortunately, he passed away, only hours before the ceremony. This Honor was bestowed upon him posthumously, and was received by Mrs. Gail O’Brien. His book entitled Never Say Die depicted his personal battle with cancer and also served as an inspiration to those suffering from all forms of cancer.
Professor O’Brien, fondly called by his family and friends “Dr. Gorgeous” is survived by his wonderful wife, Gail, and their three children, Adam, Juliette and James, who dearly loved him.
Past Award Winners
2022: William Ryan, MD
2018: Kevin Emerick, MD
2016: Martin Batstone, MD
2014: Michael Kupferman, MD
2012: Sandro Porceddu, MD
2010: Eric J. Moore, MD
2008: Carston Palme, MD