Association of University Cardiologists
Home
Constitution and
Bylaws
Upcoming
Meetings
Officers
Membership
Roster
Deceased
Members
Membership Nomination
Abstract Forms
How to Contact Us
Richard P. Lewis, M.D.
1918 - 2008
Richard P. Lewis, M.D., M.A.C.C., passed away on May 18 in Columbus, Ohio, following a brief illness. As an emeritus professor in the Division of Cardiology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, he was active in teaching and patient care until a few days before his death.
Dr. Lewis was a native of Portland Oregon. He received a B.S. degree from Yale University in 1957 and his M.D. from the University of Oregon in 1961. He interned and served a residency in internal medicine at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, followed by a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Oregon and a year as a senior resident in medicine at Stanford. Commissioned a captain in the US army medical corps in 1966, Dr. Lewis served a two year tour as associate chief of cardiology at the Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, Wash. He then returned to Stanford for a year as an instructor in medicine.
Madigan was just the beginning of his military career. He remained in the US Army reserve and ultimately reached the rank of colonel. Dr. Lewis began his career at the Ohio State University School of Medicine in 1969 as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, progressing to full Professor, with fifteen years as director of the division of cardiology and ultimately as an emeritus professor who never retired from patient care and teaching.
For nearly forty years Dr. Lewis was a devoted fellow of the American College of Cardiology. His leadership roles in the College were legion, from governor for Ohio, to trustee and president of the College in 1996 – 7. All the while, his passion was education and patient care. For more than 20 years he was one of the most active members of the Editorial Board of ACCEL, the College’s audio journal. Over the years he did literally hundreds of interviews in this country and around the world.
But perhaps the hallmark of Dr. Lewis’ contributions to the College was his dedication to innovations in cardiovascular education. He was the founding editor of the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (ACCSAP) and editor of the seventh edition of ACCSAP at the time of his death. He was a member of the College’s Lifelong Learning Committee, the CardioSmart Advisory Board, the ACCIS Editorial Board and a variety of other committees. For many years he chaired the SAP Editorial Board and was instrumental in expanding ACC educational products into international markets.
Dr. Lewis published well over 100 articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed publications and some 50 in various other professional vehicles. He authored or coauthored a number of books, including The Heart Companion Handbook and Diagnosis and Management of Heart Disease.
Dr. Lewis was a member or fellow of numerous prestigious professional societies, including the American Clinical and Climatological Association, the American Federation for Clinical Research, and the American College of Physicians. He held visiting professorships at institutions such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, the Mayo Clinic and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Dr. Richard Lewis has been an icon of quality care and clinical excellence throughout his remarkable cardiovascular career,” said Jack Lewin, M.D., ACC CEO. “In Dick's case, to know him was to love him. He will be missed as a mentor, a trusted leader and a friend by so very many of us.”
Although Dr. Lewis was recognized internationally as a distinguished academic cardiologist and educator, he believed, and practiced throughout his career, that for a doctor, there is no mission more sacred than giving care and comfort to every patient.
Dr. Lewis is survived by his wife Penny; his son Richard P. Lewis Jr., an attorney with Reed Smith in New York; his daughter, Heather N. Brown, M.D., of Portland Oregon; and two grandchildren, Nate Phelps Lewis and Sasha Riley Lewis.
Viewing and memorial service will be held at the Rutherford Funeral Home; 450 West Olentangy Street; Powell, OH 43065; (614) 792-1471. Calling hours are on Thursday, May 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The memorial service will be held on Friday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m.
A scholarship prize is being established in Dr. Lewis’ honor, to recognize a fourth year medical student who has demonstrated outstanding clinical ability and compassion.