Background
He was born in Stratford, New Zealand to Martin Bernard Bergin and Minni Bergin (née Hignett).
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John Daniel
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He graduated with distinction in 1943, then went to serve with the New Zealand Medical Corps at World World War II in the Middle East, Italy and Japan. He graduated from Hammersmith in 1948, and received a Nuffield Fellowship which led to his appointment to the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London.
Career
Martin Bergin was a barrister and solicitor in Stratford. Minni was a full-time mother and homemaker who died when Jack was only 12 years old, leaving a large family. Jack Bergin received his secondary education at Street Patrick’s College, Silverstream, and went on to study medicine at the University of Otago.
Upon returning to New Zealand he worked in medicine in Dunedin and Wellington Hospitals before travelling to Britain where he was a student and house physician at the Royal Post Graduate Medical School at Hammersmith.
In 1956 Bergin returned to New Zealand and succeeded Doctor I.M. Allen as the second neurologist to Wellington Hospital. He was the driving force behind the establishment of neuroradiology and clinical neurophysiology, and by 1967 a modern neurological department had been created.
Bergin also ran a private practice and for a time was visiting neurologist to Wanganui and Hawera hospitals. He had long standing involvements with the Home of Compassion and Calvary hospitals in Wellington.
He became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1958, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) in 1969.
He was a strong opponent of abortion, and was active in founding the Society for Protection of the Unborn Child. Bergin was married to Lorna Stark and had eight children, two of whom have become doctors, and one of whom is also a neurologist. He died on 22 July 1995, aged 74.
Achievements
Membership
Bergin was a member of the New Zealand Epilepsy Association council, and assisted neurological research via his participation in the Scientific Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Neurological Association which he helped found the Neurological Association of New Zealand in 1971. Foreign over forty years he was an active member of the Catholic Doctors’ Guild of Street Luke, Steamship Cosmas, & Damian which he also served as Master.
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Born
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Died
July 22, 1995 (aged 74) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Religion
Catholic