It is with sadness that Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP) acknowledges the recent passing of Emeritus Professor John Murtagh AO, whose contributions and influence on Australian – and international – general practice cannot be understated.
Readers would already have heard many tributes to his lifetime of education and have read countless individual experiences of his goodness and unfeigned interest in each individual’s medical journey. His influence on the College is pervasive, profound and incalculable.
Prior to his eponymous textbook and suite of general practitioner-focused clinical tools, which are considered the gold standard for general practice, Professor Murtagh served as Editor-in-Chief of AJGP (then called Australian Family Physician). Across the near-decade of his time in this role,1 he established a culture that we strive to continue – curating highly relevant, easily accessible, and genuinely applicable content for the Australian context.
Professor Murtagh is survived by his wife, Dr Jill Rosenblatt; five children; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Professor Murtagh’s influence will continue to be felt across each generation of general practice registrars, within The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and by general practice globally. Thank you, John, for a life well lived.
Australian Journal of General Practice
Professor David Wilkinson, Dr Brendon Evans, Dr Claire Denness, Dr Joanne Cunningham