In Memoriam
AASLD recognizes the contributions and achievements of members who are no longer with us. May they rest in peace. If a member of the Hepatology community has passed and you'd like AASLD to pay them tribute, please email aasld@aasld.org.
Remembering Those Who Passed
Josh Levitsky MD, MS, FAST, FAASLD
Josh Levitsky MD, MS, FAST, FAASLD took on many roles during his 20 years as a transplant hepatologist. His career can be recognized as a “tour de force” in the field of hepatology and transplantation. He arrived at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, IL) in 2005 eager to pursue research endeavors.
AASLD Tribute
Col Stephen A. Harrison, MD, FAASLD
On April 23rd, 2024, we lost not just a giant in the field of Hepatology, but a loyal friend, steadfast leader, trusted collaborator, and dedicated mentor. Col Stephen A. Harrison, MD meant a lot to many people. His compassionate nature and genuine concern for others made him a cherished individual in both personal and professional circles. As an excellent doctor, Stephen demonstrated exceptional expertise and vision in Hepatology, providing extraordinary care to countless patients throughout his career. This included not only in his practice at home but also abroad during his deployment to Iraq where he cared for our service men and women and the people of the communities where he worked.
AASLD TributeEdson Lee Forker, MD
Emeritus professor and Past President of the AASLD (1983), was a scholar and physiologist who loved basic science, especially mathematics and its applications to hepatic transport physiology. Lee, as we knew him, passed away in Columbia, Missouri on Monday, May 22, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 92.
Obituary in HEPATOLOGYSarah Kalser, MD
The first program director for liver research grants at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), passed away peacefully in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, on March 4, 2023, at 93 years of age. Dr Kalser was a long- term member of the AASLD and received its Distinguished Service Award in 1993.
Obituary in HEPATOLOGYJohn R. Senior, MD
The hepatology community mourns the loss of John R. Senior, MD, who passed away January 25th at the age of 94, after a lengthy illness and testing positive for COVID‐19. He is survived by his dear wife Sara, with whom he was married for 69 years, three children, six grandchildren, and five great‐grandchildren.
Obituary in HEPATOLOGYJoseph R. Bloomer, MD, FACP, FAASLD
A distinguished physician‐scientist and leader in the study of liver disease, passed away on December 22, 2021 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. A widely acclaimed teacher, accomplished researcher, and compassionate clinician, Dr. Bloomer mentored countless physicians in the United States and abroad.
Obituary in HEPATOLOGY
Jack R. Wands, MD, FAASLD
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jack R. Wands, M.D., FAASLD, 80, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital/Lifespan. Jack was a leader in the field of Hepatology and among the most prolific investigators in the history of the medical school. He is survived by his children, Greg and Raymie and his grandchildren Robby and Amanda.
AASLD Tribute
Robert K. Ockner, MD, FAASLD
It is with great sadness that we announce the death after a brief illness, at the age of 86, of our esteemed colleague, and Past President of the AASLD, Robert (Bob) Keith Ockner, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at UCSF. Bob passed away on September 26 after a brief illness . Bob is survived by his wife, Elaine, by three sons, Jim, Matt and Peter, their wives Gillian, Kassy and Paula, and 8 grandchildren.
AASLD Tribute
Vinay Sundaram, MD, MSc, FACP, FAASLD
It is with profound sadness that AASLD acknowledges the passing of Vinay Sundaram, MD, MSc, FACP, FAASLD. Dr. Sundaram was a distinguished physician-scientist and leader in hepatology, a generous mentor, a doting father and husband, devoted brother, and a dear friend. He passed away surrounded by his family on July 14, 2022. He touched countless lives and we are privileged to share this tribute in his memory. Donations to support the Dr. Vinay Sundaram Legacy Fund can be made here: http://my.aasldfoundation.org/drvinaysundaram
AASLD Tribute
Hugo Ramon Rosen, MD, FAASLD
Dr. Rosen was a beloved member of the liver community and will be remembered for his dedication and passion to the study of liver disease. He joined AASLD in 1992 and was an active member and fellow at the time of his passing.
AASLD Tribute
Alan F. Hofmann, MD, FAASLD
Dr. Hofmann was a gastrointestinal physiologist, biochemist, and clinician notable for his extensive basic, translational and clinical research on bile acids and lipid digestion. After relocating from Sweden, he joined the Division of Gastroenterology at U.C. San Diego and reviewed until 2009, enjoying a 50-year research career. An AASLD member since 1966, Dr. Hofmann served as President in 1985 and was an AASLD Distinguished Award recipient in 1997.
Obituary in HEPATOLOGY
Lennox Jeffers, MD, FACP, FAASLD
Dr. Jeffers was Chief of Hepatology at the Miami VA Medical Center. He lectured on almost every continent, was principal investigator on numerous Hep B and Hep C trials and was one of the first physicians to perform diagnostic laparoscopy of the liver. He became the first African American Fellow of the American College of Physicians in Florida and was a pioneer in his research on new therapies for under-served communities. He was well-loved by his patients, one of whom established a research fund in his name.
Roberto Groszmann, MD, FRCP
Dr. Groszmann conducted his research at the West Haven V.A. Medical Center where he made foundational discoveries in the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. His work earned him many awards, including AASLD’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2002 and the 2016 International Recognition Award from the European Association for the Study of the Liver.
James E. Heubi, MD
Dr. Heubi was an accomplished clinician-scientist and staff hepatologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for over 46 years. He also served as president of NASPGHAN from 2016-2018. Dr. Heubi played a key role in the biochemical characterization of inborn errors of bile acid metabolism. He collaborated with investigators to purify cholic acid, showed its efficacy in restoring liver function, and successfully obtained FDA approval for the use of cholic acid to treat children and young adults with abnormal bile acid metabolism.