Rinaldo Bellomo – An Intensive Care Medicine Icon

Abstract

An exceptional figure in the international intensive care community, Professor Rinaldo Bellomo, has died following a short illness. Based in Melbourne australia, Rinaldo became internationally renowned for his prodigious research output in intensive care medicine. Although a giant in the field of managing acute renal injury in the critically ill patient, the breadth and depth of his contributions extended into many fields of medicine. He was the preeminent intensive care researcher in Australia and has an extraordinary legacy having authored more than 1800 publications. He was recognised by being appointed an officer of the order of Australia in 2018, the highest honour that can be bestowed in the country.

Rinaldo was a true clinician researcher. He was the founding chair of the ANZICS clinical trials group, a collection of clinical researchers who came together in the 1990s to produce groundbreaking multicentre studies that changed intensive care practice. Yet his research interests were much broader than that. He was a true scientist, working with laboratory based researchers and developing pre-clinical studies. He was also a compassionate, supportive supervisor and mentor to many Phd students from around the Globe who have spread the lessons from working with him.

For over 30 years that we have known Rinaldo he never lost his infectious enthusiasm, wherever he was encountered around the globe whether it be Europe, Australia, Asia or elsewhere. His work ethic was truly amazing, balancing never ending invitations to present at international meetings with his clinical and academic commitments. His contribution to a number of medical journals as an Editor and a reviewer was outstanding. It was rare for a manuscript not to be substantially improved by his input. Notable too was his longterm input to the Editorial Board of Critical Care.

He brought his cheerfulness and warmth of character with him. He was a gifted communicator, whether it be when providing a critique of his own and others research, reviewing our current clinical practice or as a passionate advocate for Intensive Care as a researchbased specialty. Beginning his professional life as a physician he remained clinically active throughout his career, blending real patient experience with research that could improve the lives of individual patients.

It is impossible to list all of Rinaldo’s achievements but suffice to say he was the leading Australasian Critical Care clinician scientist who many counted as their colleague, mentor and friend. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife Debbie and daughter Hilary, whom Rinaldo often mentioned in conversations in the most loving terms.

Anthony McLean – Blue Mountains, Australia.

Geoffery Dobb – Perth, Australia.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Intensive Care Medicine Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Kingswood, NSW, 2747, Australia

   Anthony McLean

2. Emeritus Consultant in Intensive Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

   Geoffery Dobb

Authors

1. Anthony McLeanView author publications

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2. Geoffery DobbView author publications

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Contributions

All authors contributed equally.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anthony McLean.

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McLean, A., Dobb, G. Rinaldo Bellomo – An Intensive Care Medicine Icon. Crit Care 29, 319 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-025-05481-w

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• Published: 23 July 2025

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-025-05481-w

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