Name: Mary Taylor Burnell (Angel)

Qualifications:
MBBS – Adelaide University (1931)

Date of Birth: 21 February 1907
Date of Death: 25 August 1996

Mary Burnell worked with both adults and children administering anaesthesia at Adelaide Children’s and General Hospitals. Burnell was a key figure in the establishment of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Her dedication to the practice was recognized through an array of awards and leadership positions. Burnell served as President of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists and Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists. Through her commitment to fostering overseas connections, Burnell was awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons. She attained honorary positions in both the Faculty of Anaesthetists Australasian College and Royal College of Surgeons.

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Mary Taylor Burnell was born on 21 February 1907, in Norwood, South Australia.[i] She attended St Peter’s Collegiate Girls School located in Adelaide for her primary and secondary education.[ii] She enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree at Adelaide University, however, transferred to medicine after two years of study. She graduated with her MBBS in 1931.[iii] In 1932, Burnell served as a resident medical officer at Adelaide Children’s Hospital.[iv] By 1934 she was their honorary anaesthetist.[v] It was also during this period that Burnell became the first woman to become a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. Burnell also joined the British Medical Association in 1932 receiving honorary life membership in 1982 for fifty years of membership.[vi] One year later, in 1935, she worked as secretary for the South Australian Section of the Society.[vii]

Although resigning from her position at the Children’s Hospital in 1937, Burnell returned in 1942.[viii] The outbreak of World War II saw hospital staff and resources drained. Her expertise was required for the continued functioning of the anaesthetic departments. During her work, Burnell lobbied for an anaesthetics department in the Children’s Hospital. Through working at both hospitals, she became aware of the great differences between administering anaesthesia to children and administering it to adults. [ix]

Burnell continued to contribute to the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) throughout the 1940s and beyond. In 1953 she was elected president of the ASA.[x] She was the first woman to be elected to this position. Two years later in 1955, Burnell was elected as a member of the Board of Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, becoming an honorary life member in 1973.[xi]

In 1966 she was elected Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists. Again, she was the first female to be elected to this position. Burnell was directly involved in establishing this Faculty corresponding with other founding members including Dr Ivan Jose.[xii]

Alongside her elected positions, Burnell worked tirelessly to promote the importance of anaesthetics in Australia. In 1953 she invited Dr Bernard Johnson from England to speak at the Annual Meeting of the Society held in Adelaide.[xiii] This tradition of inviting an overseas speaker to the Society conference continues to this day. Her extensive travel allowed for this international connection that was recognized in 1968 with an election to the Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons.[xiv] In 1977, she was awarded a Silver Jubilee Medal presented by the Queen of England.[xv]

Burnell’s contributions to anaesthetics were recognised with Honorary Fellowships to both the Australian Faculty of Anaesthetists and Royal College of Surgeons. Outside of anaesthetics, Burnell was a member of the committee of the Mothers and Babies Health Association in South Australia.[xvi] She worked for this organization for over thirty years helping establish its scholarships and the position of presidency. In regard to hobbies, Burnell was a Chevalier de Tastevin, wine connoisseur. She also had a passion for history, encouraging Gwen Wilson to write her history of Australian anaesthetists. Burnell greatly contributed to educating on anaesthetics for adults and children. Her honorary awards and numerous positions held during her career are testament to her dedication and expertise.

REFERENCES

[i] Terry Loughnan, ‘Series on Past Deans and Presidents: Mary Taylor Burnell (nee Angel)’, ANZCA Bulletin, June 2005, p. 10, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.

[ii] ‘Mary Taylor Burnell’, Funeral Speech, Enfield: South Australia, 28 August 1996, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.

[iii] Mary Burnell, ‘Anaesthetic Card’, University of Adelaide, 1931, ANZCA Archives, Series 11; Mary Taylor Burnell, ‘Exordium’, Form, 1952, Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History: VKGM 6903.41.[iv] Robert E. Steele, ‘Australian Society of Anaesthetists’, Letter, 6 August 1982, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[v] Ibid.[vi] David M. King, ‘Australian Medical Association Inc.’, Letter, 18 November 1982, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[vii] ‘Mary Taylor Burnell’, Self Reflection.[viii] Ibid.[ix] Mary Taylor Burnell’, Funeral Speech, Enfield: South Australia, 28 August 1996.[x] Australian Society of Anaesthetists, ‘ASA Presidents’, 2015, Online: https://www.asa.org.au/ASA/About_us/History_of_the_Society/Past_Presidents/Past_Presidents.aspx.[xi] John Loewenthal, ‘Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’, Letter, 24 May 1973, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[xii] ‘Citation – Dr. Mary Taylor Burnell’, Citation, 1976, Presented to RACS for Honorary Fellowship, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[xiii] J. Davies, ‘ANZCA  Council’, Letter, 17th May 1994, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[xiv] R. S. Johnson-Gilbert, ‘Royal College of Surgeons of England’, Letter, 13 April 1967, ANZCA Archives, Series 11; Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, ‘Ceremony for the Presentation of Diplomas’, Pamphlet, 11 September 1968, p. 3, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[xv] Buckingham Palace, ‘By Command of Her Majesty the Queen the Accompanying Medal is Forwarded to Dr. Mary Taylor Burnell’, Certificate and Invitation, 7 June 1977, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.[xvi] Mary Taylor Burnell’, Funeral Speech, Enfield: South Australia, 28 August 1996, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.

IMAGES

  1. ‘Mary Burnell’, Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History: VKGM 6939.
  2. ‘Mary Burnell’, ANZCA Archives, Series 148.
  3. ‘Academic Bonnet’, Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History: VKGM 6905.
  4. Mary Taylor Burnell, ‘Exordium’, Application Form, 1952, Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History: VKGM 6903.41.
  5. ‘Mary Burnell’, ANZCA Archives, Series 148.
  6. Mary Burnell, ‘Anaesthetic Card’, University of Adelaide, 1931, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.
  7. Buckingham Palace, ‘By Command of Her Majesty the Queen the Accompanying Medal is Forwarded to Dr. Mary Taylor Burnell’, Certificate and Invitation, 7th June 1977, ANZCA Archives, Series 11.