Monash Memo - articles - 19 February 2002

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Hundreds pay tribute to Professor Chris Silagy

More than 500 friends, relatives and colleagues gatheredat the Melbourne Museum last week to pay tribute to a man they had alladmired, Professor Chris Silagy, AO.

Professor Silagy, who died inDecember aged 41, was the foundation director of the Monash Institute ofHealth Services Research.

As news of his death spread last year,tributes poured in from around Australia and overseas for ProfessorSilagy, who was internationally recognised for his work in the field ofevidence-based medicine and was instrumental in establishing theCochrane Collaboration, which he brought to Australia.

Photographicimages of his life were beamed into the Melbourne Museum, while guestspeakers including director of the UK Cochrane Centre Sir Iain Chalmers,dean of Medicine Professor Nick Saunders and Professor Silagy's brotherGeoffrey shared special memories of Professor Silagy's life.

As ameans of ensuring that Professor Silagy's vision continues, the MonashInstitute of Health Services Research has established the MonashUniversity Medical Foundation - Chris Silagy Fund.

Donations canbe forwarded to the institute at level 1, block E, locked bag 29, MonashMedical Centre, Clayton, Victoria 3168. Inquiries can be directed to9594 7501.