It is with deep sadness that I advise you of the passing of Max Harry Weil, MD, PhD, ScD (Hon), FCCM, this past weekend in Palm Springs, California. Dr. Weil was a founder of the field of critical care medicine, proposing the term critical care, and leading the Society of Critical Care Medicine as its first president from 1970 to 1972. A true visionary, he co-founded the Weil Institute of Critical Care Medicine, where he was active until his death.
Dr. Weil received his medical degree from the State University of New York and completed training in cardiology and cardiovascular physiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His research focused on the mechanism of shock, the hemodynamic effects of endotoxin, and the relationship of endotoxic shock with other types of shock. His contributions are too numerous to name, so I will mention but a few of them.
He established the first “shock ward” to provide continuous monitoring of seriously ill cardiology and postsurgical patients. He also developed a cardiac catheterization laboratory and monitoring facility for surgical patients, as well as a clinical physiology unit for hemodynamic and metabolic patient studies. Dr. Weil’s research further advanced the care of critically ill patients with the introduction of computer techniques for patient monitoring. His inquisitive mind never stopped wondering how he could make the lives of his patients better.
Dr. Weil was an innovator and a great leader in medicine. His dream of saving lives advanced the field of critical care. Dr. Weil was one of the critical care titans, and he will be deeply missed.
Sincerely,
Pamela A. Lipsett, MD, MHPE, FCCM
President
70 Responses
Jesus Villar
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:50 am
1Dr. Max Harry Weil was the reason of why I became intensivist.
During my last year (1977) at the Medical School in Spain, I discovered a fantastic book that changed my life forever. I was in a Neurosurgical programme because I was interested in becoming neurosurgeon. The title of the book was SHOCK and the authors were Weil and Shubin. The reading of the book changed my interest in medicine and I shifted to Critical Care Medicine instantaneously.
My condolences for the death of Max Harry Weil, “The Giant Goliath” of Critical Care Medicine, to his family and to all fellows that he trained. Certainly, most of them are among the top leaders in modern critical care medicine.
David Safran
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:50 am
2A true loss.
Connie Yokum
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:51 am
3A truly great man and physician has passed and we may never see his like again.
Michael R. Pinsky
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:52 am
4Sad to see my old friend go.
Steven Opal
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 am
5Nicely written and well said. Max Weil was a pioneer and true giant in the field of critical care. His insights into endotoxin-induced pathophysiology alone was nothing short of brilliant, and he still sets the standard for basic research in LPS biology today.
Navyn Naran
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 am
6Amazing the work he did. Thank you for sharing. May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Jose Martinez Pino
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:54 am
7Thank you for letting me know about Dr Weil passing. He was several times here in Cararcas, Venezuela and he was Dr. Jose Besso Mentor and we are deeply sad about. He really was a great teacher and a great Leader in Critical Care Medicne. Many Thanks…
Signe
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:54 am
8Oh, so very sad. He sure has done alot for critical care medicine, in animals too!
Gloria Rodriguez
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:02 am
9It is with great sadness that I receive the news of Dr. Weil’s passing. Even though I knew of him, I remember being mesmerized by Dr. Weil when I saw him during my first SCCM Congress as a fellow and later hosting him in Puerto Rico where he spoke about resuscitation. He always remembered “the intensivist from Puerto Rico” and was always willing to engage in good conversation whenever we came across during Congress.I had the honor of having him present during my induction as Fellow (Hawaii), where he later congratulated me. What impressed me the most about Dr. Weil was his ability to constantly challenge ideas (even his own) and his passion for critical care and the multidisciplinary approach. He will forever be a role model for generations to come.
Dimitri Demetriades
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:03 am
10A legend, visionary, teacher, researcher and above all a great human being.
Herb Rogove, DO, FCCM, FACP
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:04 am
11We are all devastated to learn of Hal Weil’s death. We are former fellows dating back to the 1970′s having trained under him and would like to suggest that the SCCM’s website have a front page “tribute wall” for Dr. Weil. We feel that his immense contribution to our specialty as a pioneer and legend should be duly recognized. He has touched the lives of not only his trainees, but his patients, colleagues, and the world. The “tribute wall” would allow all of us to reflect upon the tremendous impact that Hal has had upon many in the field of Critical Care Medicine.
Donald Chalfin
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
12A great man, a visionary scientist, a brilliant original thinker, and a truly engaging individual. He will be missed
David Martin
August 3rd, 2011 at 2:14 pm
13Upon joining the Society 11 years ago, I heard many stories about the vast accomplishments of Dr. Weil. So upon meeting him for the first time, I was quite nervous. Hal had such a wonderful way of making you feel comfortable, and I very much enjoyed my first and many subsequent visits with him. He was a compassionate, caring man who continued to provide guidance, support and mentorship to many throughout his lifetime. He is warmly remembered by all and will be deeply missed by me.
George Sample , MD
August 3rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm
14I had a passing interest in critical care , until I met him and became one of his trainees. I was in awe of his brilliance , passion , his amazing clinical acumen , and compassion. Even after I left and when I went into private practice , he would answer my emails / calls re clinical issues. I was humbled by the generosity of his time and insight.
I will miss him in many respects.
We all have him to thank for much of our good clinical fortune
George
Vinod Puri, MD
August 3rd, 2011 at 5:31 pm
15For those of us who knew him well, it is a personal loss. Hal as he was known to us was a teacher, mentor and friend. I had gone to Los Angels in 1974 for a fellowship. As a trained general surgeon, I was perhaps a misfit but he and late Herb Shubin never let me feel it. Spending five years with asa trainee and faculty changed my life. Hal was such a clear thinker and yet a visionary. How he dreamt up critical care as a specialty and its scientific basis remains a mystery. The ideas he popularized form the bedrock of ICU management of many conditions. He used computers in critical care before PCs and portable devices. My thoughts are for the peace of his soul and his two daughters and their families.
Barry Mizock MD, FCCM
August 3rd, 2011 at 6:08 pm
16One of my more memorable experiences in CCM was being asked by Dr. Weil to co-author a chapter on “The History and Destiny of Critical Care Medicine. His insight into the the evolution of CCM as a medical specialty was truly enlightening. He will be missed.
Angela Benefield RN, BSN-CCRN,CSC-CMC
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:28 pm
17A great loss to the world and the field of Critical Care Medicine. Dr Weil was a legend and many of us in would not be in critical care without his vision and concepts for Critical Care. His legacy will live until end of time.
Elena Tilly MD, Esq
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:43 pm
18Where do I begin. I am so shocked and saddened at his passing. Everything I am as a physician I attribute to Dr. Weil. He frightened me as a medical student, challenged me as a resident, and took my breath away as a fellow. When they define “physician” in the dictionary, a picture of Dr. Max Weil is all that is necessary. I cannot imagine a world without him in it and my sincere condolences to his family. He is one of the truly great men I have had the pleasure to know.
Hector Canales
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:43 pm
19A brillant scientist, who lead an Imprtant team, whith more than hundred of papers, and a lot of them what help us to undertand what happen in critical care. I think is a not repared lost!!! Thank you Dr. Max Harry Weil. Hector Canales, La Plata Argentina.
David Fleischer, MD
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:22 pm
20I knew Dr Weil in the last years of his life. He ‘appeared elderly’ as was appropriate for his chronologic age, but anything associated with ‘old’ ended there. His mind was fertile and elastic. His insights into areas outside of critical care medicine were electrifying. His visions were apparent in mundane conversation. He had an acute sense of self. And he epitomized the attributes of humility and civility. He was a role model for all who knew him.
Richard Prager MD FCCP
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:30 pm
21A true guru in critical care medicine and
a great legend left behind.
Jan Bakker
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:09 pm
22A true loss of one of the founders of Intensive Care. “Never stop wondering why” he told me over a nice dinner in Brussels early in my career. It became the basis for my clinical and scientific practice. It helped me to save many patients and enjoy research. I think Hal had an impact on many people he met during his life….he definitively made it on the way we practice Intensive Care today.
Min Aung
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:53 pm
23A true loss for an icon in critical care medicine
Jean-Louis Vincent, MD, PhD
August 4th, 2011 at 12:50 am
24we lost a giant… and a friend – but his memory will never die
Raul Gazmuri
August 4th, 2011 at 1:42 am
25He will be missed deeply by all of us, and very especially by those who trained under him and continued to be mentored over the years. He was truly a remarkable man who impacted so many and in so many aspects of life, medicine, and humanity. Despite the sadness, there is reason to celebrate for the gift of a “life well spent” that he left behind, for us to remember and emulate. Part of him now lives on us.
Prasad Abraham
August 4th, 2011 at 6:44 am
26I am definitely blessed to be practicing in a multidisciplinary critical care environment because of his vision 40 years ago. While he will be sorely missed, his inspiration motivates us to carry on his dream.
bruce gingles
August 4th, 2011 at 7:52 am
27I met Dr. Weil in 1979 as a newly minted medical device sales person. Dr. Weil, working between the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, became an early adopter of recently developed percutaneous sheath introducers. At that time, Swan-Ganz catheters were primarlly placed by a surgical cutdown technique and Dr. Weil quickly grasped the advantage of sparing an incision and two ligations. 30 years later I was asked to chauffeur Dr. Weil, who was now largely wheel chair dependent, to a dinner in his honor. Young faculty members at our table talked only about his proudest moments and legacy; about how he will never be forgotten. He was never asked about what changes he envisioned for critical care medicine in the years ahead.
On the ride back to the hotel, Dr. Weil quietly said he was not very interested in the accolades and prefered instead to focus on the future, especially his beloved Institute but also new technologies he was working on. We went to the bar and talked until 2:30 am about sophisticated cardiac rescue device prototypes and the future. He always looked forward.
Daleen Penoyer
August 4th, 2011 at 8:20 am
28I loved listening to Hal talk about the next great research question to tackle in resuscitation science. I remember him saying, “we may have it backwards. Maybe not ABC, but CAB!”. Aside from his brilliance, he sure was fun to be with and learn from. That, I will miss more than anything.
Marilyn Haupt
August 4th, 2011 at 8:20 am
29As a member of the F2 generation, I am fortunate to have been part of Dr. Weil’s extended family. Critical Care Medicine as well as my own career have been enhanced by his vision an unwavering enthusiasm.
Irshad Chaudry
August 4th, 2011 at 8:45 am
30l am deeply saddened to learn the news of Hal Weil’s departure. I have very pleasant and fond memories and I am grateful to him for the numerous things he did for all of us. He was a giant in his field but he never acted in that manner and it was always a great pleasure to discuss and interact with him. He was a very warm and caring person and he shall be remembered with great fondness. The entire scientific community is going to miss him dearly. I am truly sorry I missed the opportunity of seeing him at this year’s Wolf Creek meeting. My sincere condolences to his family and colleagues at the Institute.
Irshad Chaudry
Steven M. Opal, MD
August 4th, 2011 at 8:52 am
31Thanks, A kind gesture and
very thoughtful of the SCCM.
S. Opal
Meg Wilson
August 4th, 2011 at 9:20 am
32As a previous SCCM member of staff, I experienced first hand the immense respect and admiration felt by those clinicians who trained under Dr. Weil, and who later on continued to be mentored by him. It was such a privilege for me to have met one of the founders of critical care and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Guillermo A. Quintero Villarreal
August 4th, 2011 at 9:22 am
33Sentimos mucho en colombia la muerte del profesor. Weil, le damos las gracias por. Habernos dado mucho a los cuidados intensivos. Que. Descanse en paz. Dios lo bendiga.
Dr. Guillermo quintero villareal intensivista. Monteria colombia
Chris Farmer
August 4th, 2011 at 10:05 am
34Dr. Weil was a kind and generous man with immense talent and skills. I first met him in 1986, during my fellowship, at an SCCM Congress in Washington, D.C. He had taken the annual update exam, and was in a room full of people, politely asking clinical questions of the panel who assembled the test. He was simply and humbly trying to assess his knowledge base. He was a legend, but this was his approach–he was always one of us.
Dr. Weil was one of the folks who built the lighthouse and helped keep the beacon lit–now it is our responsibility to see that it continues to burn brightly.
Sreedhare Chintala
August 4th, 2011 at 11:11 am
35Dr Weil was the legend in critical care Medicine. its a great loss to our specialty. I did not had the oppurtunity to be trained by him or work with him,but I think we all should continue to propogate his Legacy and Expand our horizons in critical care Medicine.
Terry CLemmer, MD
August 4th, 2011 at 11:33 am
36Max’s contributions to critical care and medicine in general are beyond recognition. You can count his publications and lectures but it was his mentoring that made him so great. He treated each individual as of great worth and instilled into each a burning and passion for the field which is passed from generation to generation. It is about who he was and not just what he accomplished that instills in him his greatness and our sadness in his passing.
Joseph Parrillo MD
August 4th, 2011 at 11:58 am
37Hal was a pioneer who contributed greatly to “inventing” the field of critical care medicine.
I had the privilege of working with him on a number of projects. He was a strong supporter of the first NIH Consensus Statement about the developing field in 1983, he provided invaluable support to SCCM’s research efforts, and he provided great help to the journal, Critical Care Medicine, with his contributions and outstanding reviews. I always considered it a real privilege to participate in his outstanding review course given each year in Las Vegas or Palm Springs.
Hal was one of the giants and a wonderful friend. He will be greatly missed.
However, his goals and vision will continue with all the accomplishments that he “birthed” in the field of critical care medicine.
Dan R. Thompson, MD, MA,
August 4th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
38I remember the first time I met this great man. I was interviewed by him in LA for a fellowship in CCM. We stayed in contact primarily at meetings even though I did not go to LA. SCCM and I will his wit and intelligant comments at the meeting. Prayers go out to his family.
Louis Brusco Jr, MD, FCCM
August 4th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
39Dr. Weil is one of the reasons I am an intensivist today. I went to a Symposium in Chicago in 1987 run by him and Eric Rakow that featured such others such as Jay Falk, Roger Bone and John Bartlett – and I was amazed at both the wealth of knowledge they possessed and dispensed but also by how friendly and engaging they were. I had time to talk to him briefly on a coffee line, telling him of my fledgling interest in CCM, and he acted like I was a valued colleague!!
As I later spent more and more time involved in SCCM, one highlight was earlier this year in San Diego when the Past Presidents were autographing the Anniversary book – I went and had mine autographed by him – told him my story and he seemed genuinely interested. His humanity and energy will never be forgotten.
Cliff Deutschman
August 4th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
40My strongest impressions of Hal:
1. You never needed to re-introduce yourself. Once Hal knew your name, he never forgot it.
2. He found almost any idea interesting, worthy of consideration and discussion.
3. To Hal, all those interested in critical care were created equal. He had time for all of us. Or he made time. Just talking to him made you feel important.
4. He liked recognition but never seemed to seek it. When offered the opportunity to become one of the first “Master Fellows” of the ACCM, he declined, saying he’d received more than enough honors.
5. When I first heard that Hal had passed, I did a PubMed search. He published a first author paper earlier this year and has a senior author paper in press. Age 83, ill, but still contributing.
Unique, visionary, brilliant, dedicated. Admired and LIKED by all. Without Hal, there is a little less light in the world. We will miss him.
Lynda Knight, RN, MSN, CCRN< CPN
August 4th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
41I feel so honored to of known him and learn from him. I remember at one dinner we were both at, I asked him what he would like his legacy to be? Dr. Weil replied, “that all of my students learned from me, felt my passion and knew that I was always doing what I loved.” Well said Dr.Weil , you will be so missed!
Oreste Romeo
August 4th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
42Thanks for the many innovations and wonderful leadership into a new age of medicine.
Sam Tisherman
August 4th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
43We have lost another of the great giants of our field. Hal was the consummate leader, investigator and mentor. He always had insightful comments and fatherly advice from which we all benefited, from the young student to the senior investigator. He will sorely be missed.
JOSE MARTINEZ PINO MD, FCCP,SCCM
August 4th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
44DR WEIL WAS ONE OF THOSE MAN THAT ALWAYS WILL BE REMENBER , FOR HIS HUMAN CONDITIONS ,FOR HIS WISDON AND FOR HIS COMPATION FOR THE PATIENTS .ON THE OTHER HAND , HIS DEDICATION FOR TEACHING AND HELPING IN THE FORMATION OF SO MANY OF US , EVEN ,COMING TO OUR PLACES WHERE WE WERE DOING OUR JOBS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE KEPT DOING OUR BEST .- HE WAS SO A GREAT MAN AN MENTOR .-WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM .-
Dr. S. Shrinath
August 4th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
45my deepest condolence on departure of great personality from this planet.He will be always remembered for his contribution to the world of critical care medicine. May God give strength to his family members to overcome his physical absence.
Dick Traystman
August 5th, 2011 at 8:46 am
46Max Harry Weil was one of the fathers and giants of Critical Care Medicine. He was a good scientist, a good teacher, a good leader, a good mentor, a good innovator, a man with a good sense of humor, a man of passion for his work, a man with the highest ethical standards, a man of vision, a good friend, and overall, a good, good man. What more could one ask in a person?
Shirish Prayag, MD FCCM
August 5th, 2011 at 9:24 am
47We will all miss him, obviously, not just for the vision, for his contribution to science, for his humility and many other attributes which are being written about but also for his passion to innovate. In an era blinded by evidence, his influx of new thoughts to work on, think about will be sorely missed. I had the honour of meeting him last at Florence when the World Federation honoured him with the Lifetime achievement. Even in distant countries like India, where we practise, his influence was immense. A true giant, indeed. They dont make them like that any more, do they ?
Tim Buchman
August 5th, 2011 at 9:52 am
48My fondest memory of Hal involves a trip that he, I and Dr. Wanchun Tang took to Shanghai in 2002 or 2003. At the time, our colleagues in China were just beginning to reach out and develop a comprehensive, nationwide approach to CCM. It was a working week, replete with presentations, meetings and tours. But what impressed me most about Hal was his ongoing attention to the ebb and flow of the conversations and the way in which he made sure that everyone was included. He could create goodwill with a smile and a comment.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of nominating Hal for the new MCCM designation. I thought I would past the text of that nominating letter here:
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Re: Max Harry Weil, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. (Hon),M.A.C.P., F.A.C.C., Master F.C.C.P., F.C.C.M., F.A.H.A
Dear Colleagues,
It is a great personal honor for me to nominate Max Harry (“Hal”) Weil for ACCM’s Master in Critical Care Medicine designation.
The personal attribute that best qualifies Hal for this honor is a quote from the note he sent me reluctantly transmitting his CV:
“I have had enough recognition and honors that came from working with a wonderful team for many years as well as colleagues from many places and gaining credit mainly from THEIR efforts.”
That is Hal “in a nutshell”, doing all of the work and giving away all of the credit.
Regarding the leadership criterion, Hal joined the faculty of the University of Southern California in 1959, and inaugurated the shock unit there that year. He ran the shock unit there until 1981, along the way creating the international standard Weil-Shubin classification of shock (Adv Exp Med Biol. 1971 23:13-23).
Regarding contributions to SCCM/ACCM with emphasis on the significance of the contributions, Hal was among our founding fathers and served as SCCM’s first president.
Regarding contributions to critical care medicine through other societies, agencies and organizations, Hal chaired the Emergency Cardiac Care Committee of the American College of Cardiology from 1974-1981, and in that role was responsible for devising, implementing and disseminating the standards and practices of cardiac life support that we enjoy today.
Regarding research grants and projects, Hal has been principal investigator on forty-five (45) such awards spanning almost half a century. The first began in 1959. The last concluded in 2006. Hal holds 19 patents on devices relevant to critical care.
Regarding teaching accomplishments, Hal has given two hundred sixty four (264) invited talks. He has personally directed forty-eight (48) annual symposia on critical care medicine, fifteen (15) annual Chicago conferences on Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, nine (9) annual New York critical care symposia ,… I think the point is made.
Regarding contributions to the community and volunteer work, Hal not only built the Institute of Critical Care Medicine in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area), he has been the motive force in ensuring that the citizens know how to perform basic life support and know how to use AEDs through programs sponsored by his Institute.
Regarding publications, Hal has authored more than 1300 publications, including Critical Care Medicine Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 1.
Regarding awards and honors, his CV has a long list that I will not diminish by merely counting. The one that is most meaningful to me as Hal’s nominator was the establishment in 2007 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine of the Max Harry Weil Plenary Lecture, “Founding member whose vision laid the foundation for the Society as well as for the field of Critical Care”.
Hal Weil is not simply a Master of CCM. He is the Master’s Master.
It is with greatest respect and admiration that I offer Hal Weil as a candidate for the Master CCM designation.
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Hal, I will miss you greatly. You continue to be a hero and an inspiration.
TGB
Chenna Keshava
August 5th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
49A giant of a man… What a loss to medical fraternity.
We never realize what we do today the way we do it, is probably because of him.
Carlos Ortiz MD
August 5th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
50My condolences on the death of Dr. Max Harry Weil, thanks for your valuable contributions to medical knowledge
Dr.Najib Mohammad
August 5th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
51Loss of Dr.Weil is a loss of whole human world. We may not hear anymore, the sound of his footsteps in the world of knowledge but we will continue to hear the echo of it. The peace he provided to the critically ill people, may the God reward him now in return. May the God bless all his family members with the best of His blessings.
Kenneth Scope, M.D.
August 6th, 2011 at 7:19 am
52Since the late Dr. José Besso can be regarded as a father to modern Critical Care in Venezuelan Medicine, Dr. Weil -his much revered tutor- could be easily considered the “Grandfather” of this specialty in our native land. I too was attracted to our field by both of these great physicians and consequently ended up pursuing my career in the US. Dr. Weil was often a guest professor at Centro Médico de Caracas while I was a young medical student, and it was an honor to have him there. Dr. Besso took great pride by bringing Dr. Weil to examine his fellows upon completion of their training, and these “grandchildren” of Dr. Weil went on to direct many ICU’s everywhere in Venezuela. His legacy is enormous and will continue in the many generations to come in all continents.
shawky mourad
August 6th, 2011 at 7:42 am
53may his sole rest in peace and thanxs for all what u have given to the humanity.
Mehrnaz Hadian
August 7th, 2011 at 12:34 am
54I got to know Dr. Weil in the last year of his life, when I moved to Rancho Mirage. Getting to meet him and be inspired by him was a true personal and professional privilege that I am forever grateful for. His generosity of spirit, his never ending passion for learning, and his inspirational life is and always will be the guiding torch of my generation of critical care physicians.
Celso Coelho
August 7th, 2011 at 8:24 am
55We have lost a great professor and intensivist leader. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Amado Alejandro Baez MD, MPH, FAAEM, FCCP
August 7th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
56An amazing human being and a true inspiration for many generations to come. He lives in all of us intensivists throughout the world. In the Dominican Republic our professional Society will prepare a tribute conference in his honor.
Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemian
August 8th, 2011 at 9:33 am
57I am deeply sorry to hear about the “Shock majesty’s”death•
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about Dr.Weil.
words cannot even begin to express our sorrow, he is in the paradise
Barbara McLean, MN, CCRN, CCNS, NP-BC
August 8th, 2011 at 10:48 am
58Over the last twenty years, my own practice and teaching has been profoundly affected by this brilliant physician and his mentees. He has guided us all to open our minds and biases to other points of view. His legacy continues to embrace us all.
Judi Jacobi, PharmD, FCCM
August 9th, 2011 at 9:16 am
59Dr. Weil and the co-founders had the foresight to include all members of the CC team in this outstanding organization, and he predicted a role in leadership for non-physicians. I will always be grateful for his role in enabling that process for Maureen Harvey, myself, Carol Thompson, and all of those to follow.
My condolences to his immediate family, and that extended family who worked and trained with him over the many incredibly productive years that he blessed us with his brilliance.
Jan Headley
August 9th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
60I have had the honor to have known Dr. Weil for… decades now. As part of the critical care founders, he brought such vision to the speciality. He had honored me by inviting me to lecture at about 4 of his Critical Care/Trauma Symposia. He would always be sure to “drop in” my session… sit in the front row.. then when he felt all was well.. he would stand up and leave. What a nerve racking experience that was.
His wife was usually by his side during the conferemces and was a joy to talk with at the receptions.
He will be sorely missed but his legacy lives on…
Ake and Inger Grenvik
August 9th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
61As our dear friend, Max Harry Weil passed away at age 84 on July 29, so did the first era of Critical Care Medicine. We visited Hal Weil and his partner Herbert Shubin already in 1969 in their impressive shock research unit at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles. This was followed by many mutual visits to our homes and hospitals in LA and Pittsburgh, resulting in a close friendship, not least as Hal became the founding leader of our Society of Critical Care Medicine with annual society meetings initially alternating between LA and Pittsburgh. Not only was Hal the founding president of SCCM, he also founded the founded the Institute of CCM which he later moved to Rancho Mirage in the Palm Springs area of California to where he also moved his beautiful home. This institute is an outstanding facility for CCM research on both large and small animals as well as CCM equipment. The Institute attracted researchers from all over the world. Hal himself was an extraordinary researcher, an excellent mentor, innovator, creator, teacher, clinician and perhaps above all an unbelievable friend. We could not have had a greater founding president of SCCM. He will be thoroughly missed and remembered by all of us in SCCM and forever by the entire world of CCM.
Charles W. Otto, M.D., F.C.C.M.
August 9th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
62Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel over Hal’s passing. His last years were physically difficult for him but his lively intellect remained as incisive as ever. He seemed so vital at the Wolf Creek Conference in June that it is difficult to imagine he is gone. Although very aware of Hal’s great contributions to the origins of critical care medicine, I first really got to know him in the early 1980′s when we had a mutual interest in acid-base balance and CO2 transport during shock and CPR. Many highly stimulating discussions over the physiology of gas transport during CPR kept us both on our toes. Our mutual interest in resuscitation kept us friends and colleagues since that time. Not only was Hal a great scientist but a great visionary, teacher and most of all friend. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten.
Dr Mohammad Omar Faruq. MD. FCCM. FACP. FACEP. FCPS, President, Bangladesh Society of Critical Care Medicine
August 10th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
63On behalf of Bangladesh Society of Critical Care medicine , I express deep condolence on passing away of Dr Weil. Dr Weil’s contribution to the cause of critical care medicine across the world will be remembered for ever by critical care physicians of Bangladesh.
William Rodriguez
August 11th, 2011 at 9:41 am
64During my term as ACP Governor in Puerto Rico, Dr Weil was invited by me to come as a speaker. Superb, mind challenging talks! A true model to imitate…Let’s hope that his seeds are well planted and big forests full of robust trees keep growing..
Sherif Afifi, MD, FCCM
August 11th, 2011 at 11:59 am
65Few can boast the life & achievements of Hal Weil: a superb clinician/academician, a leader, a founder, a visionary, and a mentor of our discipline. He will be missed.
Dr. long yun
August 17th, 2011 at 12:39 am
66I’m so amazed to hear about that, he is a kind man.
Roberto Clausi, MD
August 17th, 2011 at 11:25 am
67Hello !!!
Me and my father, Dr ROBERTO CLAUSI, are very sad because of this big missing !
We both knew Dr Max Weil very well and we know very much how he was important for all of us, intensive care doctors !!!
We apologyze and share with the SCCM all our best feelings in his honour !!!
Thank you very much for your kindly attention,
Dr CARLA MARIA CLAUSI and Dr ROBERTO MARIO CLAUSI
William & Norma Shoemaker
August 18th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
68We were deeply saddened to hear of Hal Weil’s passing. He had an illustrious career. We were privileged to share his vision and be associated with his endeavors. He will be sorely missed.
Daniel A. Lichtenstein
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:01 pm
69I had the major honor to shake Prof. Weil’s hand at a congress in 2009 (Florence, Italy), and this encounter, although brief, was a genuine stimulation and pride in my life of researcher. For several reasons (even not linked to medical research), he was designed for being a spiritual father, maybe the mentor I never had. I miss his disparition and would express to his family how near to him I felt, in spite of the few contacts we had. With my deep feelings.
Hernan Artucio
August 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
70Sad por the passing of a great man, one of the visionaires that founded intensive care medicine
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