Professor John Murtagh, 3 July 1936 – 18 October 2025
Vale Emeritus Professor John Murtagh, Fellow of WONCA (1936-2025)
It is with profound sadness that the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) mourns the passing of Emeritus Professor John Murtagh AO, who passed away peacefully on 18 October 2025 at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, surrounded by his loving family. He was 89 years old.
Professor Murtagh was a towering figure in family medicine and medical education, whose influence extended far beyond his native Australia to touch the lives of family physicians and their patients across the globe. His contributions to our discipline have been immeasurable and enduring.
In 2007, Professor Murtagh was awarded WONCA Fellowship in 2007 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to global family medicine. That same year he was awarded Life Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice. These honors reflected the profound impact of his work on family doctors worldwide. His seminal textbook,
John Murtagh’s General Practice, first published in 1994 and now in its ninth edition, has been translated into thirteen languages and has served as an essential guide for generations of family physicians.
John's unique ability lay in explaining both complex concepts and practical procedures in an approachable and engaging way. He was a very
inspirational teacher who possessed a deep understanding of how to convey key concepts.
Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Murtagh held numerous prestigious positions, including Emeritus Professor in General Practice at Monash University, Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and Guest Professor at Peking University. His decade-long editorship of Australian Family Physician introduced ground-breaking changes that enhanced the practical value of medical literature for practicing clinicians. As well as his medical writing, Professor Murtagh mentored and taught generations of GPs in his academic role at Monash University, including several
RACGP presidents.
Professor Murtagh’s legacy extends beyond his written work. He embodied the values that WONCA holds dear: dedication to excellence in patient care, commitment to education and knowledge sharing, and an unwavering belief in the vital role of family medicine in healthcare systems. He practiced rural medicine in Gippsland, Victoria for ten years, demonstrating his commitment to serving communities where family doctors are needed most.
John Murtagh valued his association with
WONCA for the global camaraderie it fostered among family doctors. From attending his first meeting in Mexico City in 1974 to delivering the Wes Fabb Oration in Cebu decades later to his last WONCA World Conference in Sydney 2023, he often reflected on the shared challenges and dedication of family physicians worldwide, a fellowship he believed WONCA exemplified.
On behalf of WONCA’s 134 Member Organizations across 115 countries and territories, and the countless family physicians around the world whose careers he shaped, we extend our deepest condolences to Professor Murtagh’s family, friends, colleagues, and to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the broader Australian general practice community.
Professor John Murtagh’s vision, scholarship, and dedication have left an indelible mark on family medicine worldwide. His work will continue to guide and inspire family physicians for generations to come. We have lost a true giant of our profession. John was a celebrated international figure of medical education fame.