A pioneering Kildare oncologist who made significant contributions to medicine

Brian D. Kelly, MB BCh BAO BMedSci MSc MD FRCSI, of Newbridge Co. Kildare was a pioneering, award-winning Urologic Oncologist, who made significant contributions to medical science.

He died in early August in his newly adopted home of Melbourne, Australia. He was 40 years of age.
While Brian left this world too soon, his impact was global and deeply personal; felt by colleagues, patients, friends and family across continents.

Brian blazed a trail of academic excellence, from the Patrician Brothers in Newbridge to earning his medical degree from University College Dublin, and completing his surgical training in Galway University Hospitals. His thirst for knowledge led him to a doctoral degree (MD) from NUI Galway under the mentorship of Professor Michael Kerin and Mr. Kilian Walsh.
His countless friends fondly recount his help on the wards and in the research laboratory at that time and his care and compassion for all he worked with and cared for.

Brian wasn’t just a scholar, he was a gifted surgeon, and completed training as a Urologist in the UK, worked as a Consultant Urologist in QE University Hospital Birmingham and held positions as a Clinical Lecturer there.

He was awarded numerous fellowships and completed prestigious Robotic Surgical Fellowships at the Royal Melbourne, the Peter Macallam Cancer Centre and the Royal Austin in Melbourne, Australia. Brian’s dedication to his patients was remarkable. He deeply felt the weight of responsibility for their well-being.

He published over 140 peer-reviewed papers, books and communications and presented his research at top urology conferences globally, achieving a level of success that any surgeon would be proud of, co-authoring European guidelines for Urology. He famously presented in the most prestigious session at the largest urology conference in the USA.

Brian was more than a collection of accomplishments. He was a force of nature, a multi-dimensional character who embraced life with a contagious enthusiasm. And his adventures were legendary; spanning continents and activities, climbing mountains and kayaking rivers to snowboarding backcountry slopes and road-tripping through deserts.

He once kayaked 700 kilometres through the Yukon River, road-tripped over 7,000 kilometres through Canada with his son, Tadhg, then chased a wheel of cheddar cheese down Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire.

His sense of fun and enthusiasm was simultaneously humbling and bodacious and took him from the highest peaks in the British Isles to fishing in the depths of Tennessee, a sailing expedition around the East Coast of Australia to traversing through the sun-scorched expanses of the Australian outback to towering cliffs across the Tasman. Brian was fiercely loyal, generous, and always there for his loved ones. He was a proud Irishman and Australian, a man whose spirit nor physical presence, could not be contained by nationality, borders or time zones. He cherished his parents, Margaret and late father Brendan Kelly, and siblings, Finn, Sean, Ruth and his beloved son Tadhg, celebrating their achievements with genuine joy.

Brian’s humour was riotous, his laugh infectious. He was a master of DIY memes, often using them to playfully tease his friends. His absence will be felt most keenly in those moments of shared joy and lighthearted banter. His memes will live on.
While Brian’s professional achievements were impressive, it was his heart and integrity that truly set him apart. He was an advocate for the underdog, a champion for those who needed a voice. He stood up for colleagues facing injustice and without hesitation extended a hand of friendship to those in need.

Brian’s 40 years are a testament to living life to the fullest, caring for family, working hard, embracing adventure, and cherishing the bonds of friendship. He was a shining example of the best of humanity. While the world is undoubtedly dimmer without his bright light, his legacy of kindness, laughter, and unwavering friendship will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew him.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
- Dara Lundon