In Memoriam: William R. Hiatt, MD, MSVM (1950–2020)

Abstract

Dr William R Hiatt, a past president of the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM), died on December 8, 2020 at the age of 70 (Figure 1). He was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and the past president of CPC Clinical Research (CPC). Dr Hiatt (or Will to his friends) was a pillar in the vascular medicine community, a compassionate and valued physician, a pioneer in vascular clinical research, and an internationally renowned clinical trialist. He served as a teacher and mentor for numerous physicians and PhD scientists and cared for many patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Beyond this, he was a beloved colleague and friend to many members of the SVM. He entered the field of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree in 1976. His internship and junior year of medical residency took place at University Hospital in Boston, where he was inspired by Dr Jay Coffman (1928–2006), a pioneer in vascular medicine, and trained alongside lifelong colleagues Drs Mark Creager and Jonathan Halperin. He returned to the University of Colorado, Denver, for his senior residency, and there he completed his fellowship in general internal medicine and vascular medicine. He then joined the faculty of the University of Colorado and rose quickly through its academic ranks to become Chief of the Section of Vascular Medicine and Professor of Medicine with tenure and was bestowed the Novartis Foundation Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research. In 1996, he was appointed President of the Colorado Prevention Center (CPC Clinical Research), a non-profit academic research organization affiliated with the University of Colorado, through which he led groundbreaking research in peripheral artery disease (PAD) and impactful community health programs focused on populations with disparities. He also served as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the General Clinical Research Center and the Chair of the Clinical and Translational Research Advisory Committee at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. During his career he received numerous awards and recognitions for his work, including designation as a Master of the Society of Vascular Medicine (MSVM), a Distinguished Scientist by the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Clinical Research Prize from the AHA. He served as Chair of the AHA’s Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease and was chair of the US Food and Drug Administration Cardiovascular and Renal Division. He also led the international Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) on the Management of PAD.1 This work, in particular, underscored Will’s gifts for bringing parties across disciplines together and fostering collaborative work.