Edward B Diethrich, an internationally esteemed cardiovascular surgeon, inventor, and philanthropist, succumbed to complications of a brain tumour on 23 February 2017 at the age of 81.
“Regarded as a pioneer in non-invasive cardiovascular disease diagnosis and innovative surgical and minimally invasive treatments, Diethrich completed his surgical residency at St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, USA, and the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, after obtaining his undergraduate and medical degrees (1960) at the University of Michigan. He received his thoracic and cardiovascular surgery training at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where as a member of the academic staff following his residency he played a pivotal role in the development of human heart transplantation with his mentor, Michael DeBakey.
Diethrich moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1971 to found the Arizona Heart Institute (AHI), the USA’s first freestanding outpatient clinic devoted solely to the prevention, detection, and treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases. As medical director and chief of Cardiovascular Surgery for the Institute and founder of the Institute’s non-profit Arizona Heart Foundation, Diethrich drew on his foresight and dynamic pioneering spirit to lead both AHI and its research organisation (Arizona Heart Foundation) to levels of prominence in the international medical community.”
VIEW FULL ARTICLE: Obituary: Edward B Diethrich
LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. DIETHRICH: “Success starts with serendipity”
Shortly before his death, Dr. Diethrich made a video telling the story of the career-altering health issues he faced as a result of chronic, low-level exposure to ionizing radiation through his work.
VIEW VIDEO: Invisible Impact: The Risk of Ionizing Radiation on Cath Lab Staff
