© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
Editorials |
In Memoriam
Jeffrey M. Isner, MD
From St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence to Dr Douglas Losordo, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, 736 Cambridge St, CCP4-C, Boston, MA 02135. E-mail dlosordo@opal.tufts.edu
"Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."— —Senator Robert F. Kennedy
On October 31, 2001, the world of cardiovascular medicine lost one of its guiding lights, and Circulation Research lost a valued member of its Editorial Board. One cannot speak about the career of Jeffrey Michael Isner without encountering a remarkable list of firsts. Most recently Jeff was focused on the concept of gene therapy for therapeutic angiogenesis, and on December 7, 1994, Jeff was the first person in the world to perform human arterial gene transfer for cardiovascular disease. Jeff’s imposing CV lists more than 400 published manuscripts, an NIH merit award, and a recent program project grant award, the outstanding faculty achievement award from Tufts University, the W. Proctor Harvey distinguished alumnus award from Georgetown University and the William Beaumont award, given annually by the American Medical Association to the single most influential clinical scientist under the age of 50.
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These accolades are impressive, but were not the way that Jeff measured his success. Instead, Jeff exulted in the success of others, the scores of postdoctoral fellows who came from around the world to work with him. Jeff was modest and magnanimous, always sharing credit for his many accomplishments with others. Jeff understood that no matter how much intellect, energy, and drive an individual possesses, if he is by himself he can accomplish very little. But if he can surround himself, as Jeff