1914–2009

AACC mourns the passing of Gerald Cooper, MD, PhD, an AACC Past-President (1984) who was known as the “Father of Cholesterol.” More than 50 years ago Dr. Cooper noted the significance of blood lipid measurement as a predictor of heart disease risk and during his five plus decades of service at CDC, he worked to improve the accuracy and precision of cholesterol and other lipid tests. He also helped to create the Cholesterol Standardization Program and served as Medical Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and research in Blood Lipids at CDC, among many other leadership positions. Dr. Cooper received numerous awards including national and local AACC awards, the Distinguished Service Medal from the Public Health Service, the Atlanta Federal Employee of the Year (1989) and the Charles C. Shephard Award for Lifetime Scientific Achievement. His unfailing courtliness and generosity of spirit and smile will be remembered fondly by the thousands of colleagues in laboratory medicine. Click here for an article and podcast about Dr. Cooper’s many contributions to the field.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dr. Cooper’s memory to the Van Slyke Foundation. Click here for a VSF donation form or contact Grace Won via email or at 202-835-8712.

Click here to read more about Dr. Cooper and his many accomplishments.