Ritchie Centre News

Australia Day Honours for MIMR Scientist

The Reverend Professor Victor Yu, Clinical Director of the Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2008 Australia Day Honours announced on Saturday 26 January.

The Award recognises for Professor Yu’s service to neonatal paediatrics and medial research, particularly through the study of prematurity, to the establishment and development of specialist medical and teaching facilities and to religion.  

His pioneering contributions to the field of neonatology have resulted in the introduction and establishment of neonatal intensive care units as standard hospital practice in Australia.

Professor Yu has contributed immeasurably to the increased survival rate of preterm infants in Australia and around the world.

Professor Yu completed his clinical and research training in neonatology at Oxford University and McMaster University before his appointment as Director of Neonatal Intensive Care at Monash Medical Centre in 1976.

Professor Yu became Professor of Neonatology at Monash University in 1996 and was appointed the Clinical Director of the Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research at Monash Institute of Medical Research in 1999.

Throughout his career, Professor Yu has authored/edited 10 books, and published 172 book chapters and 268 journal articles. He is associate editor of Early Human Development and is on the editorial board of four other medical journals.  He has supervised the postgraduate neonatal training of 200 paediatricians from 41 countries.

Professor Yu has been President of the Australian Perinatal Society, President of the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, Vice President of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, and consultant to the World Health Organisation in China and to the Hong Kong, Singapore and Brunei governments.