Roger R. Williams, M.D. (1944–1998): Cardiovascular geneticist, physician, and gentle friend
✍ Scribed by Aravinda Chakravarti
- Book ID
- 101263718
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 21 KB
- Volume
- 16
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0741-0395
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Roger Williams, one of the world's most eminent cardiovascular disease geneticists, died in the tragic accident aboard Swissair flight 111 on 2 September 1998. He was 54.
Roger Williams was internationally known for his work on the genetic epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and, significantly, for his public health efforts at risk reduction and disease prevention. He was not only a bright scientist but a compassionate physician whose research was motivated by what his patients needed. He was dedicated to identifying every person in the world with familial hypercholesterolemia and refer them to qualified physicians; his goal was to adequately treat and reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. Roger was a kind and gentle soul and possessed great administrative skills. It was this unique combination that allowed him to steer complex multi-institutional research programs, such as the current National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's "Family Blood Pressure Program," from competition to collaboration. He gave freely of his time to many boards and committees and was instrumental in shaping the funding of cardiovascular genetics programs in the United States.