BARBARA STARFIELD Obituary

STARFIELD--Dr. Barbara, Distinguished University Professor at The Johns Hopkins University, died suddenly and unexpectedly while swimming on Friday, June 10, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Neil A. Holtzman, their children, Robert (Orlando, FL), Jon (Las Cruces, NM), Steven (Berkeley, CA), and Deborah (Menlo Park, CA), and eight grandchildren, all of whom adored her. Donations in her honor should be made to the Health Research Group, 1600 20th Street, NW, Washington DC 20009.

Published by New York Times on Jun. 14, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
for BARBARA STARFIELD

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It is now 2021. After ten years, Barbara is still quoted as much as when she was alive. Her seminal book on the principles of Primary Care and her papers demonstrating its impact on improving health and decreasing costs have stood the test of time. What a giant! We miss her energy, clear thinking and ferocity in the face of resistance.

Moira Stewart

Coworker

June 23, 2021

I am greatly saddened by Barbara Starfield's death. She was personally responsible for connecting me to her young (then) protégée Debra Roter, which initiated a fruitful 10 year collaboration and enduring friendship. I'll bet she has touched many lives through her personal commitment to nurturing and connecting

There are two anecdotes I wish to share.

She was invited along with a dozen other luminaries in 1989 to the first of five Foundations of Primary Care Research Conferences. The group of luminaries met for two days presenting their ideas and shaping a book called Primary Care Research. She was pivotal and incisive. However, she had a deceiving demeanour because throughout the whole two days, she knitted a sweater for one of her children!!

The 2008 paper in Healthcare Papers (2008) called Primary Care in Canada: Coming or Going threw down the gauntlet, as only Barbara could, to Canadian citizens, government and researchers to pull up our socks! At a time when the environment was becoming laissez faire about Primary Care, permitting erosion of early gains in Canada, she eviscerated our smug contentment and raised a clarion call to re-energise. Her paper has had a massive impact, in no small measure contributing to the momentum leading to Canada's Institutes of Health Research's new strategic initiative on Primary Health Care. My guess is that she has done similar punchy analyses in many other countries, thereby improving Primary Care worldwide.

She will be greatly missed.

Moira Stewart

November 18, 2011

Barbara's family can be proud of a scholar and humanist who contributed so much to improve our understanding of how to make a better world in health care.

Duncan Etches

August 3, 2011

Barbara and her catalogue of work have helped so much in driving primary care reform in our country. Thanks so much for standing up for the work of primary care. My sincere condolences to all her family - you must miss her ever so much more.

June Bergman

August 3, 2011

Barbara was an inspiration to all of us in primary health care - how to use the facts and argue so eloquently. Hopefully the time will come when politicians and key policy makers will accept her findings and implement her recommendations. She will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to all her family.

Ann C Macaulay McGill University

August 2, 2011

Dr. Starfied's contributions have been so relevant to what healthcare needed and has had great impact globally. We are saddened by her passing but comforted by her legacy and inspired by her work. Wtih deepest sympathy to her family and friends and the primary care extended family she embraced around the world,
The University of Calgary Department of Family Medicine

August 2, 2011

The Section of Researchers at the College of Family Physicians of Canada extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family of Dr. Barbara Starfield. A luminous star in the realm of primary care research, Dr. Starfield was a mentor, inspiration, and friend to many among us.

It is with high regard for her work, thankfulness for her contributions, and respect for her ideals of equity and regard for others that we remember Dr. Starfield and her many accomplishments. She will continue to inspire us all, as her foresight, innovative thinking and the conviction of her beliefs will continue to show us the way forward.

On behalf of the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Section of Researchers (S of R)
Dr. William Hogg, Chair of the S of R

Inese Grava-Gubins

July 12, 2011

Barbara Starfield was a vibrant and outspoken advocate for healthcare improvement. Her seminal work on the influence of primary care on health outcomes across nations has been a driving force behind primary care revitalization efforts here in Canada and abroad. Her work has had a profound effect on the Canadian primary care research agenda and through the ongoing use of the research tools she developed this impact will be felt for years to come. Her drive, enthusiasm and insight will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Starfield’s family during this difficult time.

On behalf of the C.T. Lamont Primary Healthcare Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.

William Hogg
Director

William Hogg

July 2, 2011

Barbara Starfield: Leader in Primary Health Care PAHO/WHO http://bit.ly/lB6HX2

Lucia Ruggiero

June 30, 2011

Barbara Starfield was a vibrant and outspoken advocate for healthcare improvement. Her seminal work on the influence of primary care on health outcomes across nations has been a driving force behind primary care revitalization efforts here in Canada and abroad. Her work has had a profound effect on the Canadian primary care research agenda and through the ongoing use of the research tools she developed this impact will be felt for years to come. Her drive, enthusiasm and insight will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Starfield’s family during this difficult time.

On behalf of the C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.

- William Hogg
Director

William Hogg

June 29, 2011

Barbara was an original thinker, who looked at the evidence and described what she saw: her advocacy for primary care came from her scholarship. She was both principled and pragmatic. Last year she contributed as adviser to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Expert Panel on Chronic Disease Management of which I was a member, presenting the evidence for primary care as the cornerstone for management of people with chronic illness, and the evidence against the 'specialist list' approach. She presented clearly, quietly, and patiently, as always, and answered questions that she must have fielded a thousand times over the years. Though she knew that the required transformative change to health care would likely not occur in her lifetime, as a scholar she was committed to laying the evidence-based groundwork. She cared passionately about the health of individuals, with names and faces, who make up a population and about equitable health care for those who bear the disproportionate burden of illness. I valued her as a role model. She will be greatly missed.

Carol Herbert

June 23, 2011

An amazing source of knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration. Thank-you for your amazing work and the legacy left for mentees to follow.

Sabrina Wong

June 23, 2011

Our heartfelt sympathies go to all who were close to Barbara. All primary care professionals and support staff benefitted from Barbara Starfield's research and critical thinking. The research validation of the impact of primary care oriented systems on peoples' lives is immense. We've all benefitted from her life and good works. She will be missed but never forgotten.

David Moores

June 22, 2011

We extend our sympathy to you, Jon, and to all of your family. We offer our condolences as well as these words of comfort: "To live in hearts left behind is not to die."
-Ross and Jeanne Burkhardt

June 21, 2011

You were and continue to be an inspiration to those of us who toil in primary care. I was honoured to meet you.

Dennis Kreptul

June 20, 2011

Barbara Starfield has left an indelible mark. Her research, which highlights the importance of primary care, has had an impact on Canadian family physicians. She would take time to listen, and respond to questions in a kind and caring manner. She has touched many people. We will always remember her and we send our condolences to her family.

Research Program, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta

Donna Manca

June 20, 2011

One afternoon a few months ago at the NMSU pool locker room, having never met Barbara before, she offered a personal suggestion that only a person of heartfelt kindness and sincerity could do. Almost immediately I felt the warmth of friendship of a woman I wanted to know better. She spoke of the love she had for her family and had a great enthusiasm and interest in her work and of helping others. I looked forward to seeing Barbara at the pool or walking in the neighborhood.
A life has been taken all too soon.
I miss her.

Alexa Davis

June 18, 2011

Professor Barbara Starfield was a friend, inspirator and supporter of general practice in Scandinavia. One thousand delegates to the Nordic congress of general practice paid honor to her memory at the opening ceremony in Tromsø, Norway on June 15, 2011. (link to photo: http://www.legeforeningen.no/image/52727/2/52727_2.jpg)


We extend our condolescenses to her family.

On behalf of the Norwegian Association of General Practice

Tor Carlsen
Adviser

Tor Carlsen

June 15, 2011

Somehow, I thought Barbara would be around forever. As long as she stays in our memories, she will. She was a wonderful mentor to me; an always available and ready advisor and friend. I've always used her as an example of how senior leaders can nurture young people. She was a brilliant and passionate teacher, researcher, advocate and citizen, and will truly be missed. - Ed Schor

Edward Schor

June 15, 2011

Mis condolencias a la familia de la Dr. Barbara Starfield. Su presencia y sus artículos nos dignificaba y nos estimulaba a todos los profesionales de la Atención Primaria Salud, en cualquier parte del mundo.

Raimundo Pastor Sánchez

June 14, 2011

my sincere sympathies to all of the family. it was my privilege to get to know barbara in her role as grandma to evan and eli. a short week ago i was privileged to chat with her as we celebrated the preschool graduation at the whistle stop.
she was full of life and encouraged all to join her in that act.
laeh bat-simcha

laeh bat-simcha

June 14, 2011

My sincere sympathies to the whole family. Her eternal contributions to public health and medicine will always be treasured...as will our memory of her as an inspiring woman of intellect, commitment and strength.

Stacey Wills (Yager)

June 14, 2011

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