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Fischer, James J. , M.D., Ph.D. 1936-2012 James J. Fischer, Chairman of the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at the Yale School of Medicine from 1972-2002, died suddenly with his Nikes on while running on the beach near his home in Madison on February 22, 2012. Dr. Fischer was born in Hazelton on August 17, 1936 and grew up in Pennsylvania. He received his B.S. from Yale in Biophysics, magna cum laude, in 1957. He received his medical degree from Harvard in 1961 and continued graduate work there, earning a PhD in 1964 under the mentorship of Oleg Jardetsky. During this period he conducted pioneering studies on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance to study enzyme complexes, publishing a seminal paper on the topic in Nature in 1963. He then returned to Yale in 1964-65 for an internship in Internal Medicine under the legendary Paul Beeson, followed by training as a Clinical and Research Fellow in the Department of Radiology at a time when the diagnostic and therapeutic divisions were in a single department. Dr. Fischer joined the Yale faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology in 1968 and was promoted to associate professor in 1970. In 1972, when radiation therapy became a freestanding department, Dr. Fischer was named as the Robert E. Hunter Professor and Chairman of the Department of Therapeutic Radiology. He held this position until he retired as Chair in 2002, after providing the department and school with thirty years of outstanding leadership. In his three decades at the helm, he built a balanced department renowned for strengths in basic radiobiology and radiation physics research, as well in clinical radiation oncology. Dr. Fischer carefully nurtured the development of the Department's clinical programs in Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics into a unit that not only provided outstanding care for cancer patients at Yale New Haven Hospital, but also reached out to provide or enrich the care for patients at hospitals throughout Connecticut. Dr. Fischer was a caring, compassionate, and incredibly skilled physician, who provided the finest possible medical care and personal support to his patients at Yale New Haven Hospital. He also served as a Consultant to the Departments of Radiology at Uncas-on-Thames Hospital, Hospital of St. Raphael, Waterbury Hospital, West Haven Veterans Administration Hospital and as an Attending Physician in Radiation Therapy, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, and William W. Backus Hospital. After retiring as Chair, he focused his efforts entirely on patient care, which he described as his favorite professional activity, seeing patients primarily at Backus Hospital. Under Dr. Fischer's leadership, the research programs of the Radiobiology Section and Experimental Radiation Physics Section of the Department also flourished, producing one of the world's major radiobiology research programs, with a strong set of faculty members and a rich portfolio of research projects in areas ranging from basic molecular biology to translational research projects aimed at improving the treatment of cancer, performed in close collaboration with members of the Physics and Radiation Oncology sections of the Department and with other departments of the Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Fischer's own research focused on experimental and theoretical studies of the effects of radiation dose, fractionation, and protraction on tumor control and normal tissue tolerance; his seminal studies in this area helped to lay the groundwork for approaches now widely used in modern radiation oncology. With Drs. Alan Sartorelli in Pharmacology and Sara Rockwell in Therapeutic Radiology, he developed the concept of targeting hypoxic cancer cells with hypoxia-activated pro-drugs, and he led several phase III randomized trials combining these drugs with radiation therapy. He also led laboratory projects examining potential mechanisms for improving the response of solid cancers to radiation therapy by modulating the oxygenation levels within the tumors, and performed several clinical trials evaluating the most promising of these approaches. He founded the biotechnology company, Ichthyox, based on his development, with Dr. Susan Baserga of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, of an engineered hemoglobin variant with improved properties for oxygen delivery to tumors. Dr. Fischer was recognized internationally for his clinical and scientific expertise. He was an active member of all of the major professional societies in his areas of expertise. He served on advisory boards for many institutions, including the Radiation Oncology Departments at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Cancer Society. Dr. Fischer was an active member of the Department softball team "the Hunter Accelerators" until breaking his ankle during a contentious game. He continued to be an avid cyclist and marathoner, and was frequently seen riding or running in Madison and Guilford. He also authored the novel, "Runner's Blood", combining his scientific and recreational interests. Dr. Fischer is survived by his wife, Dr. Anne Curtis, his son Henry W. B. Fischer and his grandsons Edward and Charles, his daughter Gwendolyn Magnan, her husband Richard, and his granddaughters Elizabeth and Caroline as well as by Rosie, Kiri, and Desi. A memorial service for Dr. Fischer has been planned for 4 PM Wednesday, Feb 29 at Battell Chapel, Yale University, 400 College Street, Corner of College and Elm Streets, New Haven. After the service, there will be a gathering at the nearby Graduate Club, 155 Elm St, New Haven. Swan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Smilow Cancer Center either online at www.yalecancercenter.org or by mail at Closer to Free Fund, P.O. Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519-0611.
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I remember growing up with Jimmy and the many visits to our grandparents, John and Anna Heidt Fischer, on East 25th St in Erie, PA. I have pictures of Jim and his brother Hugh and I at a family picnic at the beach on the Lake Erie peninsula. And he was there for his Uncle Francis's wedding and the many family get togethers over the years in Erie. Though our family visits to Hazleton were not often they bring back fond memories of his parents, Uncle Joe and Aunt Pat. And I remember his visits and dinners at my parents house (his Uncle John and Aunt Anna) in Medford, MA while he was attending Harvard. And his coming to the Fischer Family Reunion in 1993 at the YMCA Camp in Erie with over 120 relatives. He was a great cousin and will be missed.
Cousin Jack Fischer and Family.
Email: [email protected]
John (Jack) Fischer
October 29, 2012
On searching the Internet we just became aware of the passing of our cousin Jim. Although out of sight our family was never out of mind. Please know of our deepest sympathy on the loss of Jim. Know of our thoughts and prayers for all of you...
with love
Nancy Fischer, SSJ, Charles Fischer, and Jane Fischer Hesch. Our brother Richard and sister Carol have also passed away.
October 8, 2012
I am stunned by the loss of Dr Fischer! I spent the majority of calender year 2011 in his care and cannot express the loss that I feel today. As an engineer/scientist who worked more than 20 years in the nuclear field I could not have dreamed of a more compassionate, collegial and passionate practitioner of the application of radiation for treatment of cancer.
John Kendall
March 14, 2012
We will miss you Greet-Uncle Jim.
February 29, 2012
Jim was easily the kindest man in academic radiation oncology. He rarely had a harsh word for anyone and is missed already. Requiescat in pace.
Bernard Percarpio MD
February 29, 2012
Good to work with such a wonderful person. A pleasure to know you Dr Fischer.
Christina Senuta
February 29, 2012
Dear Dr.Curtis and family, I am very sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am very sorry I will not be with all of you tonight I have a very bad chest cold. I did not want to expose you all. Your close friend Jim & Bev Wetmore
February 29, 2012
Jim was, without a single doubt, the most fascinating man you could possibly want to hold a conversation with. His charm, wit, knowledge and sense of humor were extraordinary, as was Jim himself. We were privileged to have known Jim and blessed to have him be a part of our lives. His work will continue to help save, and ultimately to improve lives. From training for marathons, researching disease, travelling, there was nothing thst could stop this dedicated man. His legacy will live on forever. Always in our thoughts and forever in our hearts! Love to you Anne and the rest of your family. Love George & Moe
February 28, 2012
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