10 July 2007

Dear IOM Members, Staff and Friends,

I have the sad duty to report on the passing of a key figure in the history of the Institute of Medicine, of American medicine, and of higher education.

Dr. John R. Hogness, who served as the first president of the Institute of Medicine from 1971 to 1974, died in Seattle on July 2, 2007.  He was 85.

Dr. Hogness stepped down from the IOM to become president the University of Washington in Seattle, where he had previously served as dean of the School of Medicine and as executive vice president.

Dr. Hogness was a courageous pioneer in all his pursuits, and this spirit served him especially well in his position as the first president of the IOM.  He had no precedents to follow, and that suited him as well.  What he did from the outset was to set a high standard for excellence in our work and to translate into practice the values of independent judgment, balanced expertise, and neutral convening power that guide the IOM to this day.  A towering figure, standing 6’5” tall, John Hogness is remembered fondly for his sense of humor, his warmth, and his penetrating intellect.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 22, at the University of Washington Health Sciences Center in Seattle.  The family suggests that contributions in Dr. Hogness’ memory may be made to the contributor’s favorite charity.

Sincerely,

Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.