Dr Mark O’Brien AO

Vale Dr Mark O'Brien AO
May 10, 1931 - May 14, 2025

Dr Mark O'Brien AO, a pioneer in the medical community, has died peacefully at the age of 94, on the 14th May 2025.

Mark embraced many roles across his long and interesting life. He was a treasured son, brother, father, doctor, Heart surgeon, and husband to Dr Jennifer O'Brien 43 years (deceased) and later husband to Fran. He was father to five children; Grace, Michael, Brendan, Nicola and Mathew, with 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Remarrying later in life to Frances O'Neil, mother to Deanne, Tania, Kylie and Russell, Mark then inherited more step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren to the fold.

His enduring Faith and love for Athletics, Music, Medicine, Travel and Pets were honed from an early age. Several marathons were run across the globe, with sailing and snow-skiing thrown into the mix. The AFL football league was paramount in the weekend entertainment in his later years, having come from Melbourne, home of the sport.

In his medical career, Dr Mark was the Cardiac Surgeon in charge at Prince Charles Hospital from 1967 - 1998, and also lead the team at St Andrew's Hospital from 1985 - 2002. It was at Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia that Mark created the world's most comprehensive heart valve program with heart valves bearing his name used around the world. The surgical units he established performed thousands of heart operations each year.

 

Mark received several awards for his services to Medicine, including the Order of Australia (1992), Excellence in Surgery (RACS), the Clunies Ross National Science and Technology (2000) and the Qld Senior Australian of the Year (2000). His passion for surgery, innovation and training, research and patient care was paramount.

Mark will be sadly missed by his family, friends and colleagues as a man who incorporated education and sharing this knowledge with kindness, creativity and adventure, leaving us with much love and medical inspiration for years to come.

Awards

Order of Australia for services in Medicine to the Community      1992
Excellence in Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons        May 1997
Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Award        May 2000
Queensland Senior Australian of the Year Award         November 2000