Former Today show star Dr. Ric Porter has died at age 69 from pancreatic cancer.
Porter, a leading obstetrician and fertility specialist, was well known to viewers as the presenter of Nine’s 1990s lifestyle hit Good Medicine.
In his own field of medicine, Porter rose to prominence as a member of a team of doctors who performed the first IVF birth in New South Wales.
Porter later made headlines in 2003 when he was the first doctor to deliver a baby on live television.
Channel Nine News paid tribute to Porter in a bulletin on Saturday.
Former Today show star Dr Ric Porter (pictured) has died aged 69 from pancreatic cancer. Porter, a leading obstetrician and fertility specialist, was well known to viewers as the presenter of Nine’s 1990s lifestyle hit Good Medicine.
“Some sad news tonight,” host Georgie Gardner announced before telling viewers about Porter’s passing from cancer.
After highlighting the doctor’s pioneering efforts in IVF, the network’s salute to the fan favorite continued: “During her career she delivered more than 5,000 babies.”
Gardner, looking sad, added: “He will be deeply missed.”
Porter joined Channel Nine with the debut of Good Medicine in 1993. It was on air for nine years.
Porter made headlines in 2003 when he was the first doctor to deliver a baby on live television (pictured)
In his own field of medicine, Porter rose to prominence as a member of a team of doctors who performed the first IVF birth in New South Wales.
Porter was part of a historic moment in Australian television history when he led a team to deliver a child live on television.
The cesarean delivery took place at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and was captured by the Today show cameras.
Presenter Tracey Grimshaw was inside the delivery room for the live crossover as Dr Porter guided viewers through the procedure.
Viewers watched breathlessly as mother Leanne Cooper gave birth to a born Thomas Cooper.
Looking back on the 2022 milestone, Porter told Today viewers: “It went really well, it was a great morning and a good result.”
‘The baby cried when he had to cry, mom and dad were happy. And Tracey (Grimshaw) was pretty excited about all of this.