Abstract
Richard V Lee, MD
July 3, 2013
The obstetric medicine community lost one of its GIANTS, Richard V Lee, this year.
Dick was a tireless advocate for those in need, the common theme in all of his work. His medical treks to remote villages in India, Thailand, the Amazon Jungle, the Andes and Kenya reached villagers who would otherwise not be seen or heard by the medical community.
It is Dick’s work with sick pregnant women, another neglected population, that brought him to us. Dick was the consummate teacher and student. He was a Founding Editor of this journal, and an inaugural member of the International and North American Societies of Obstetric Medicine and co-editor of our major textbooks.
He led the Medical Problems in Pregnancy courses and Meet the Professor sessions at the American College of Physicians for over 25 years. During this time, Dick’s goal was always the same; teach to improve care, mentor the next generation of teachers and open doors to the wonder and privilege of teaching and providing care for those who followed him.
Dick did his great work through building relationships. His passion and kindness knew no bounds. His ability to communicate and engage people of any culture or way of life was remarkable.
The North American Society of Obstetric Medicine is setting up a Richard V Lee Teaching Award in his honor. This is one small way to honor Dick’s legacy. The larger way is to continue Dick’s work:
stand up for what is right even when it is not a prevailing opinion; provide care to those in need; teach with kindness and patience; honor differences in those around you; always take the time to find the goodness inside of people that makes us human and be a builder of relationships.
Thank you, Dick, for 25 years of friendship, of mentoring and for opening too many doors to count. You will be sorely missed.
Chairman, Editorial Board Obstetric Medicine: The Medicine of Pregnancy