James E, MD Dalen

James E. Dalen, MD, 91, of Oro Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024. Dr. Dalen retired from the University of Arizona in 2001 after serving as Dean of the College of Medicine for thirteen years and as Vice President for Health Sciences for seven years. He is survived by his devoted wife, Priscilla M. Dalen (Dunton); and loving children James E. Dalen, Jr.; Angela M. Snodgrass (Dalen); daughter-in-law Suzan M. Dalen; and son-in-law Daniel N. Snodgrass; as well as many step-grandchildren.

Dr. Dalen is graduate of Washington State University (His undergraduate education was temporarily interrupted when he served as a Corpsman in the Navy and Marines); he holds a Master's Degree from the University of Michigan; M.D. from the University of Washington; MPH from Harvard University; and an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Massachusetts. He was internationally recognized as a medical visionary and esteemed cardiologist.

Dr. Dalen's academic career spanned three medical schools. During the time he spent at each, he achieved great things and nurtured great ideas that helped transform medicine. From 1967 to 1975, he was on the faculty of Harvard Medical School (and the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital). From 1975 to 1988, he was a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he served as Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine from 1975 to 1977 and then as Chairman of Medicine from 1977 to 1988. From 1986 to 1987, he served as Interim Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at the Worcester Campus. Dr. Dalen left Massachusetts in 1988 to become the Dean of the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

During his tenure as Dean and Vice President at the University of Arizona, Dr. Dalen oversaw the establishment of the Zuckerman College of Public Health, The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, and the Arizona Telemedicine Program. Successful fund raising under his leadership led to the establishment of new research facilities including the Children's Research Center, The Sarver Heart Center, The Arizona Arthritis Center, and a major expansion of the Arizona Cancer Center. While at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Dalen recognized the importance of integrative medicine and the need to promote integrative medicine in the academic environment. With the active participation of Dr. Andrew Weil, this led to the creation of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, and the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, gardening, sailing, art, music and was a lifelong student with a passion for the pursuit of knowledge. Dr. Dalen enjoyed watching basketball, particularly the Arizona Wildcats. His favorite place to spend time was by the ocean in Coronado, California. Dr. Dalen was advocate for public health, social justice, and health-care reform through-out his life and career. He mentored thousands of medical students and championed access to health care for the underserved. He touched many lives as a leading physician and caring friend.

A service will be held at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 1:00pm.

His family would also like to thank his health caregivers who took great care of him over the past couple of years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the James E. Dalen Lecture Series at the University of Arizona School of Public Health. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Dalen's life and accomplishments will be forthcoming and all friends and family will be notified.