In Memoriam

J ohn C. Fisher, known as “Jack” to his friends, was born on April 19, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were Edwin H. Fisher, Sr. and Elizabeth Walden Fisher. He grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey and attended the Englewood School for Boys. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Harvard University in 1944, his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Harvard in 1947, and his Doctor of Science in Applied Physics from Harvard in 1952.

Dr. Fisher has 37 publications in the area of laser medicine and surgery to his credit. He co-edited the 1993 W.B. Saunders book Laser Surgery in Gynecology: A Clinical Guide, with V. Cecil Wright, M.D. He was a founding member, and served as President of the American Board of Laser Surgery in 1984, a multidisciplinary, nonprofit organization dedicated to the formulation, publication, and implementation of standards of proficiency and knowledge for physicians, veterinarians, registered nurses, and other medical professionals wanting to use lasers in the treatment of patients. He wrote many of the educational materials and study guides used by applicants in the Board's certification process. He was a founding member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery in 1981 and co-founded the International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons in 1992. He was also on the founding board of Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery. He participated in over 250 courses and seminars in laser surgery in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, France, Greece, Monaco, Switzerland, Bermuda, Australia, and England. In 1982 he was Chairman of the Safety Committee of the Gynecologic Laser Society. Although he taught dozens of courses in colposcopic, laparoscopic, and microscopic laser surgery to gynecologists, he also taught laser surgery and safety in a variety of disciplines, including dermatology, general surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, urology, gastroenterology, oral surgery, podiatry, and thoracic and cardiac surgery. He was a collaborator with a French pulmonary team in the development of Nd:YAG bronchoscopic laser resection, and he co-edited a textbook entitled Bronchoscopic Laser Resection Manual in 1989. It was used in France and the United States as a textbook for courses in this subject, principally at the Lahey Clinic. He was a collaborator with the cardiac surgery team at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the development of transmyocardial CO₂ laser revascularization of the heart, for which he had a great passion.

He began his career in laser medicine with the CO₂ Laser Group of Cavitron Corporation in 1973, which included the introduction in 1978 of the first commercially available laser accessory ever to allow the CO₂ laser to be used through a rigid bronchoscope for ablation of lesions of the tracheobronchial tree. As Director of Medical Development for the Lasersonics Division, he was responsible for the development of new medical devices and accessories, and for clinical studies of new applications of lasers and ultrasonic surgical aspirators. In 1981 he left Cavitron and became an independent consultant and lecturer in surgical laser physics, bioeffects, and safety. Very few individuals who perform laser surgery understand and can explain the power density of a surgical laser beam in terms of how to calculate it, and its clinical significance. Dr. Fisher's ability to communicate, both orally and with the written word, were exceptional. He was profoundly patient in his explaining to physicians about the complicated laser physics, safety, and tissue effects of lasers. He possessed a wonderful personality and had a strong commitment to professionalism and ethical behavior. He had a keen intellect and a wonderful sense of humor. He was a perfectionist in all aspects of his profession. He served as an advisor to many hospitals in the United States and Canada on the establishment of programs in laser surgery and the training and credentialing of surgeons, other physicians, and nursing personnel. He carried out physician and nurse in-service training programs with the CO₂, Nd:YAG, dye, and argon lasers. He investigated dozens of laser accidents in hospital operating rooms and consulted on dozens of cases of malpractice.

He was a summer resident of Nantucket and resided in Bradenton, Florida during the winter months with his wife, Jane C. Fisher. He had three children; Carolyn, Stephen, and Courtney, and two brothers, Edwin Jr. (Binks), and David. Dr. John C. Fisher died peacefully on February 26, 2010 in Trumbull, Connecticut. He contributed mightily to laser surgery and all laser surgeons should be grateful to him. I am indebted to him as one of my mentors. My laser career started in 1977 and he and I taught many seminars together. We both served as examiners for the American Board of Laser Surgery. He will be missed.