Dr. James S.T. Yao
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In a tribute to the late James S.T. Yao, MD, PhD. Yao, known as Jimmy, passed away on Dec. 20, 2022. His career began with his medical education at the National Taiwan University Medical School in Taipei. He continued his journey with a surgical residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and earned a doctorate in London, England. From 1988– 2007, he served as the Magerstadt Professor of Surgery and chief of vascular surgery at Northwestern University. His work led to the development of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a quick and simple test for peripheral arterial disease that is now standard practice. His contributions included formalizing protocols for noninvasive vascular studies and founding the Society for Noninvasive Vascular Technology in 1977. Throughout his career, Yao wrote 200 textbook chapters and 50 academic books. He established the first blood flow laboratory in Chicago, initiated a vascular fellowship training program and held various leadership positions in vascular surgery organizations, including serving as SVS president in 1993. In 2023 the Yao family and the SVS Foundation announced the renaming of the Resident Research Award to the James S.T. Yao Resident Research Award. The renaming of the award serves as a testament to Yao’s unwavering commitment to the advancement of vascular surgery, said Yao’s wife, Louise. The contribution from Louise and their three children—Kathy, a surgeon; John, a musician; and Pauline, a museum curator—ensures that his legacy continues to inspire future generations. Yao resided in Wilmette, Illinois, and had a longtime association with Northwestern University. |
“Jimmy’s loyal friendship, dedication to excellence, untiring loyalty and devotion to family will be remembered by all who have worked and trained with him." William H. Pearce, MD"He was one of my vascular heroes as a trainee and early-career surgeon." William Shutze, MD“It was my extreme good fortune to have trained under Dr. James S.T. Yao (Jimmy) in the early 1980s. immy was an exceptionally skilled vascular surgeon who also had the ability and willingness to train others. He was not afraid to innovate on the spot if it meant that his patient would do better – his care was always patient-centered. It was truly a joy to watch him operate and to mimic his skills in some small way." Michael Dalsing, MD"What a great man – he will long be remembered." Jospeh Mills, MD
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