Clifford H. Van Meter Jr.

VAN METER Clifford H. Van Meter, Jr., M.D., age 53, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 after a valiant fight against plasma cell leukemia. He is survived by his wife Marianne; his three children: Logan Jade Van Meter, Clifford Chancellor Van Meter, and Merritt Grace Van Meter; his mother, Patty Van Meter; his sister, Jade Van Meter Forlidas of Nashville, TN; his nieces: Jessica Van Meter and Christina Merrell; and his nephew, Judson Merrell. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Van Meter; his sister, Melissa Jane Van Meter; and his brother, Clifford Henry Van Meter. Aside from his immediate family, he will be missed by his nieces and nephews, his cousins, colleagues, and his many friends. Dr. Van Meter, an internationally renowned surgeon, was the Chief of the Cardio-thoracic Surgery & Transplantation Division at Ochsner Clinic Foundation and a member of its Board of Directors. During his distinguished career, he performed thousands of cardiac operations, including 300 heart transplants. He was a prolific author contributing extensively to multiple medical journals and textbooks. He was a guest lecturer and Professor throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Van Meter was passionate about the advancement of mechanical circulatory support as an essential treatment for patients with failing hearts, and his work was key to the development of the left ventricular assist device. He also served on numerous professional associations, boards, and committees in a leadership capacity. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Van Meter was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Association, and a Director of the Cancer Association of New Orleans. He served the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation in many capacities. He was appointed to the first group of Alley-Sheridan Fellows by the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education. Dr. Van Meter was a respected educator, teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. He directly supervised the training of 20 cardiothoracic surgeons in active practice today. In addition to his academic appointment at the Ochsner Clinic, he was Associate Professor of Surgery at Tulane University Medical School, his alma mater. Dr Van Meter was a native of New Orleans, LA, graduating from Sam Barthe School as the class salutatorian. At Sam Barthe he was selected as an All State team member in basketball, football, and track. He subsequently matriculated to Tulane University, where he was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, the Tulane Scholars Program, and the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society. On the football field for the Tulane Green Wave, he was the recipient of the Sugar Bowl Committee - Athlete Award in 1973 and the Coaches Award for Varsity Football in 1977. He attended medical school at Tulane and was a general surgery resident at the University of Virginia. He trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University in St. Louis prior to returning to New Orleans and joining the Ochsner Clinic. Dr. Van Meter was a Chevalier of the Military and Hospitalier Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, and a member of the Rex Organization and Osiris. With his many achievements and gifts, Dr Van Meter considered his greatest treasure to be his family. Countless patients benefited from his exceptional skill and knowledge. His family, friends, and colleagues will always treasure his grace, integrity, warmth and humor. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 724 Camp St. New Orleans, LA on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 9:30 AM. Visitation Sunday evening at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchar-train Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education. 900 Cummings Center, Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915, The Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation for Cardio Pulmonary Research, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, or the Military and Hospitalier Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, c/o Chevalier Herschel Abbott Jr., 3400 Magazine Street Unit 11, New Orleans, LA 70115. To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.