Farewell To A Pioneer And Friend: Dr. D. Eugene Strandness

from the Spring 2002 issue

On January 7, 2002, the field of noninvasive vascular technology lost one of its foremost pioneers, Dr. D. Eugene Strandness. In addition to pioneering the noninvasive diagnostic testing techniques and criteria used today, Dr. Strandness spent the majority of his career in research and education efforts toward furthering the accurate diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. Countless patients have reaped the benefits of his life long service to this goal through prevented strokes and limb loss due to early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the diagnostic techniques developed by Dr. Strandness are accepted as the gold standard, and his work has positively impacted the careers of thousands of vascular technologists and physicians.

Specifically, the ICAVL owes a great deal to Dr. Strandness and his concept of the intersocietal approach to the standardization and quality improvement of noninvasive vascular testing techniques and the laboratories where they are performed. He was instrumental in bringing together the various specialties that perform noninvasive vascular testing and encouraging them to work together to create unified standards -- a feat that few would have been able to accomplish. It was Dr. Strandness' respect for and knowledge of the field that allowed him to be the driving force behind the creation of the ICAVL. Today, the ICAVL is more than ten years old, has accredited thousands of vascular laboratories, and is recognized by Medicare and other payers as a measure of quality to attain in order to be paid.

The Board Of Directors and staff of the ICAVL bid a fond farewell to Dr. Strandness, a true pioneer and friend.

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