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Remembering CMHC Chair George L. Bakris, MD

The entire CMHC and cardiometabolic community mourns the loss of Dr. George L. Bakris, an internationally recognized and influential nephrologist and hypertension expert, who passed away on June 15, 2024, at the age of 72. His contributions have left an indelible mark on countless patients and healthcare professionals privileged to work alongside him.

Personal Anecdotes and Stories

"George was a leader, and independent thinker, and a friend. he will be greatly missed.

Virend K Somers MBChB, DPhil, consultant cardiologist in the department of Cardiovascular Diseases at Mayo Clinic, CMHC Faculty member, told CMHC.

"Dr. Bakris was no-nonsense, yet kind-hearted as could be. When he had enough of something, he would declare, 'Next!' and always with a twinkle in his eye. He also used to famously say, 'This is not your Mother's...' We were truly friends for life. His loss leaves an enormous void that can only be filled with fond memories of our beloved George,"

Katherine R. Tuttle, MD, Executive Director for Research at Providence Health Care, CMHC Faculty Member, told CMHC. 

"George, to me, was a nephrology encyclopedia who would pick up unplanned phone calls any time of the day and enthusiastically get engaged in a scientific discussion. He was simply the best, both as a person and as a professional. I will dearly miss him,"

Javed Butler, MD, MPH, MBA, Professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, CMHC Faculty Member. 

"More than anything. Dr. George Bakris was a great guy and a wonderful friend. He was a generous collaborator and extremely prolific in terms of his research contributions. In this way, through his many friends, colleagues, collaborators, and especially trainees, his knowledge and wisdom will be kept alive for countless generations to come,"

Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, director of Mount Sinai Heart, the Dr. Valentin Fuster Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and CMHC Faculty Member told CMHC. 

"Dr. Bakris refused to slow down or give up after he was diagnosed. He fought really hard and on top of it he continued to work as if nothing had happened. Above all, he was a very warm person. Always very gracious with his time and his advice on what to do, what not to do, especially when we were serving on various steering committees. You will be missed greatly by all of us,"

Rajiv Agarwal, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and CMHC Faculty Member.

"Dr. Bakris was ahead of his time, what we would call prescient in that, although he was a nephrologist, he saw the link between the kidney, high blood pressure, diabetes, and the overall cardiometabolic condition. When I heard of his passing, I felt quite sad. But all of us can also smile remembering this great person, George Bakris,"

Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FNLA, the Gerald S. Berenson Endowed Chair in Preventative Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine, and longtime CMHC Faculty Member told CMHC. 

"Very sad news of the death of George Bakris. He was a good friend, coauthor, mentor/supporter, and the most recognizable leader in clinical hypertension in our generation,"

Aldo J. Peixoto, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Section of Nephrology at the Yale University School of Medicine (@ajpeixoto). 

"I am not sure my heart can handle more bad news. Dr. George Bakris- you were so funny, smart, and inspiring. And you made me laugh every time you spoke, with your great sense of humor and intolerance for stupidity. RIP my dear friend, teacher & mentor,"

Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FESC, Director of Preventative Cardiology, Associate Director of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Associate Director of the Preventive and Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Smidt Heart Institute, and CMHC Faculty Member (@DrMarthaGulat). 

"Everyone recognized his huge personality, boundless energy, and infectious humor. He always brought an inimitable combination of intellect and zaniness to every meeting,"

Robert D. Brook, MD, Wayne Health and Wayne State University, Detroit, MI to TCTMD. 

"We lost a giant in the metabolic and hypertension field who started in New Orleans and made his reputation in Chicago. His most recent work targeting hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis with an RNA interference molecule (zilbesiran) injection every 6 months has the potential to be a game-changer in hypertension,"

Carl J. Pepine, MD, MACC, Eminent Scholar Emeritus and Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville added. 

"Dr. Bakris was passionate and worked tirelessly to advance and provide the best care to patients. He was an exceptional leader, mentor, and friend who we will miss dearly,"

Everett E. Vokes, MD, the John E. Ultmann Distinguished Service Professor, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Physician in Chief at the University of Chicago Medicine & the Biological Sciences, wrote in a statement issued to the University of Chicago Department of Medicine. 

On behalf of the CMHC community, we stand united in our grief, extending our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Bakris’ family, friends, and colleagues. We share in your loss and mourn the departure of such an extraordinary individual. Dr. George L. Bakris’ legacy will forever be remembered. May his impact inspire us in the relentless pursuit of better health outcomes for all as we honor his memory through our steadfast efforts in the field he so graciously served.

Read more on CMHC’s blog celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Bakris.

Scholarship Program

We welcome dedicated students, fellows, and any clinicians-in-training interested in cardiometabolic medicine to participate in this program. This includes those specifically interested in lipidology, cardiology, endocrinology, preventive cardiology and health professionals involved in the management and treatment of cardio renal metabolic patients. The program allows for young leaders to meet with distinguished faculty mentors, offering critical opportunities to learn from world-renowned clinicians in the cardiometabolic health field. Click below for more information.

From Across the Industry

In Memoriam: George L. Bakris, MD (1952 to 2024) – Rajiv Agarwal & Matthew R. Weir

Honoring Dr. Bakris at the
19th Annual Meeting

Friends and colleagues shared their memories of Dr. Bakris at the 19th Annual meeting.

A memory table was set up onsite for our attendees to share
their favorite memory of Dr. Bakris. 

Dr Bakris Memorial 1
Dr Bakris Memorial 2
Dr Bakris Memorial 3
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