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Congratulations to Marie Burke OAM
The College congratulates three FRANZCRs whose dedication and achievements in their chosen field of radiation oncology have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List from the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia: Dr Marie Frances Burke OAM, Professor Geoffrey Delaney AM and Associate Professor Graeme Morgan AM.
Inside News spoke to the clinicians recognised this year to hear how they felt on receiving the news.
Their responses highlight their enthusiasm and passion for the specialty and for passing on their knowledge to today’s trainees, they join a number of FRANZCR colleagues honoured for their work by the Governor General on behalf of the Australian state.
Dr Marie Frances Burke
In addition to caring for her patients and bringing new treatment services to regional Queensland, Dr Burke is a distinguished researcher and has led the way for research into modern radiation therapy techniques for breast cancer in Australia.
With special clinical interests in breast, gynaecological and skin cancer, Dr Burke is Vice-Patron of the Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Queensland, and previously served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Australasian Society of Breast Diseases. During her career, Dr Burke has been involved in National Breast Cancer Guideline development for Cancer Australia, as well as eviQ protocol development in breast cancer. She is also Principal Investigator for the STARS trial and the EXPERT trial at GenesisCare’s Wesley centre.
Maintaining an active interest in research, Dr Burke also serves as a Member of the Breast Cancer Trials Group, TROG cancer research, and the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group. Dr Burke has served on the College’s Radiation Oncology Faculty Council as well as the Economics and Workforce Committee.
Can you tell us your reaction on hearing the news of the award?
On learning I had been awarded an OAM, I felt honoured but quite humbled. It is a privilege to be a radiation oncologist and provide care for people facing a cancer diagnosis. It is my patients who are far more deserving of accolades than I am.
What have been the highlights for you over your career?
The personal highlight of my career has been my involvement in expansion of regional radiation oncology services in Queensland. This has ensured that patients in those areas have access to high-quality treatment, including more sophisticated modalities such as stereotactic treatment, which historically had only been available in metropolitan centres.
And is there a change that represents a pivotal moment in cancer care?
I’ve been a radiation oncologist for more than 30 years, and in that time have seen so many changes for the better in what we do for and how we care for our patients. For me, a pivotal one was women being able to have breast conserving treatment for breast cancer rather than mastectomy. I wrote up the first series of women treated with breast conservation in Queensland, which was published in a special Australian edition of the Red Journal in 1995.
What would you say to today’s trainees?
To the training generation of radiation oncologists, know that you are part of a very special profession, and that you are the future of radiation oncology. You have an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to improving patient care and outcomes.
