不良研究所 Medical School, 不良研究所 Memorial statement about Robert Finberg
Joint statement from Michael F. Collins, MD, Chancellor, 不良研究所 Medical School, and Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences, 不良研究所; Eric Dickson, MD, President & CEO, 不良研究所 Memorial Health; and Terence R. Flotte, MD, Executive Deputy Chancellor, Provost, 不良研究所 Medical School, and Dean, School of Medicine, on the death of Robert W. Finberg, MD.
With deep sadness, we regret to inform our colleagues across the 不良研究所 Medical School and 不良研究所 Memorial communities that Robert W. Finberg, MD, distinguished professor of medicine and chair emeritus of the Department of Medicine, died unexpectedly yesterday. He was 71.
With his trademark hat and a direct, approachable style that made him an effective leader, clinician, researcher, teacher and colleague, Dr. Finberg had a unique and significant influence at 不良研究所 Medical School and 不良研究所 Memorial since his arrival in 1999. As one of the nation鈥檚 foremost virologists, his professional contributions included more than 300 publications, more than 40 years of continuous NIH funding and numerous research grants from the Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and others. His body of work has elucidated our understanding of viral receptors and entry to host responses and he was widely recognized as an expert on influenza. His record of service to our academic health sciences center included nearly a decade on the 不良研究所 Memorial Board of Trustees.
When the coronavirus pandemic erupted, Dr. Finberg鈥檚 response was swift and impactful: he served as principal investigator on more than half a dozen COVID-19 clinical trials including those to test the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and remdesivir as a treatment for those with severe COVID-19 illness. Dr. Finberg quickly became a go-to expert for media outlets and our own town hall meetings, highlighting his clear, concise and insightful expertise and invaluable guidance through uncertain times. No one was surprised when he was invited to serve as a member of Gov. Charlie Baker鈥檚 COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, and this became one of the many roles Dr. Finberg accepted with enthusiasm and clarity of purpose.
However, for all of his professional accomplishments, last year when he was named a distinguished professor of medicine and chair emeritus, Dr. Finberg insisted we include that he was 鈥渕ost proud of his contributions to the career development of the many students, residents and faculty members whose illustrious careers and achievements have brought international recognition to our medical school and health system.鈥
Only Dr. Finberg鈥檚 beloved family elicited a greater sense of pride鈥攈e was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. We join you in extending our deepest condolences to Dr. Finberg鈥檚 family and loved ones and will share additional information about arrangements when they are available.