In Memoriam: Samuel O. Thier, MD

This obituary was prepared by Vincent Quagliarello, MD, with input from many other Department of Internal Medicine faculty.

Samuel O. Thier, MD, had an enduring impact on the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine during his tenure as chair, from 1975-1985, and in the decades that followed his departure.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Thier graduated from Cornell University at the age of 19 and received an MD from SUNY Syracuse before completing residency and chief residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston. After research training in nephrology, he experienced a meteoric career rise, first becoming chief of the Renal Unit at MGH and then vice chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1975, at age 37, he was appointed chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale, where he dramatically expanded a small department and helped create what became one of the most successful academic departments in the nation. He left Yale after 10 years to serve as president of the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) where he oversaw the important report “Confronting AIDS.” He then returned to Boston, first as president of Brandeis University, and then as president of MGH and Partners HealthCare, today known as Mass General Brigham.

Throughout his career, Thier was the recipient of numerous awards, including multiple honorary doctorates and lectureships. He served on many editorial boards, including for the New England Journal of Medicine. He was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation which awarded him the Kober Medal, was a member of the Association of American Physicians, and was inducted as a Master of the American College of Physicians. He served as president of the American Federation of Clinical Research and as chair of the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Fund.

Although Thier’s early career scholarly effort was directed at the study of amino acid transport and renal disease, his subsequent focus shifted to national health policy and the evolution of challenges within academic medicine.

A leader with vision, Thier was able to inspire those who worked with him to implement that vision and never forgot to take care of those who did. He transformed every institution he led, reaching new heights and unique directions, and exemplified the qualities of a true leader in all respects.

Perhaps his greatest impact was on the generations of students and residents who trained with him. He set a high bar for his trainees while providing the structural support to ensure their success. More importantly, he was a mentor to many who became leaders in their own right. His voluminous knowledge, ability to listen deeply and dissect complexities, and commanding presence at the bedside and podium were known to all. But what set him apart was his ability to connect with individuals. He frequently invited trainees to his home, remembered their personal family issues, played softball with house staff, and showed a lifelong commitment to his trainees’ career success. His memory for facts—both medical and about people—was remarkable. He cared about his trainees, both current and former, as if they were his own family.

Thier upheld the highest standards of excellence in medicine. His trainees never wanted to let him down. He will be missed.