Dr. Avinash Agarwal

1974 - 2022

Dr. Avinash Agarwal

May 9, 1974 - January 19, 2022

Avinash "Avi" Agarwal, M.D., 47, loving husband of Allison (Murch) Agarwal, and father of Devan and Nathan, passed away unexpectedly on January 19, 2022, at home. He was born on May 9, 1974, in Cuttack, India, to Dr. Nanakram Agarwal and Mrs. Manju Agarwal.

Avi graduated from Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York. At Horace Greeley, he fell in love with science as a participant in the Science Olympiad. He graduated from Cornell University (B.S.) where he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho and enjoyed playing tuba in the Cornell Big Red Marching Band. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College and subsequently completed his surgery residency at Indiana University. He completed a transplant fellowship at Emory University and received his Master of Public Health from University of Virginia.

Avi was an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery at the University of Virginia Health System for the past 11 years. He served as the Program Director of the Abdominal Transplant Fellowship at Department of Surgery, University of Virginia. He was also the medical director of University of Virginia Transplant Unit and medical director for LifeNet Health Virginia. During his time working with LifeNet, he recovered 833 transplanted organs and saved 793 patient lives.

Avi was a prolific researcher throughout his career. He enjoyed his time in the laboratory as much as he enjoyed his time in the operating room. While his innate intelligence and natural inquisitiveness lead him to the pursuit of transplant research, it was his deep empathy for his patients that guided the direction of his work. The combination of his intelligence and his compassion allowed him to make seminal discoveries that improved the lives of transplant patients – locally, regionally, and nationally. Because he felt for his patients in a personal way, he made important contributions to the field of personalized medicine and tailored therapies. This research has improved the lives of countless transplant patients by lessening the impact of immunosuppression. In addition, Avi led regional and national research efforts that demonstrably increased the number of organs available for transplantation.

Avi is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Allison (Murch) Agarwal; two sons, Devan and Nathan, all of Charlottesville, Virginia; his parents, Dr. Nanakram Agarwal and Mrs. Manju Agarwal; sister, Dr. Ritu Agarwal; brother-in-law, Mr. Paras Vira; and two nephews, Kiran Vira and Dilan Vira.

Avi's legacy lives on through the lives of the patients, he helped through the gift of transplant surgery. He was a dedicated family man who loved his family, especially his sons and wife. He will be missed dearly.

A service was held with close family surrounding him on January 21, 2022. Arrangements will be made for a memorial service at a later date. Donations in memory of Avi may be made to LifeNet Organ Procurement Services.