Obituaries

Thomas W. Burns, MACP

Thomas W. Burns, MACP, a diabetes specialist and prolific researcher, died on August 16, 2009, at the age of 85.

While serving in the Navy, Dr. Burns received his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He also earned a master's degree in pharmacology before moving to the Harvard Medical Service at Boston City Hospital for residency followed by a teaching fellowship. Dr. Burns then completed a fellowship in endocrinology at Duke University before rejoining the Navy.

After serving overseas for several years, Dr. Burns became one of the first faculty members of the University of Missouri Medical Center, where he taught and practiced until his retirement in 1992. During his career, Dr. Burns was an author of more than 100 published journal articles, including the Diabetes Complications and Control Trial. In 1976, he helped establish the Cosmopolitan International Diabetes Center in Columbia, Mo.

As a member of ACP, Dr. Burns served as Governor for Missouri in 1975-1979 and Regent from 1982-1986. He chaired the Board of Governors' Nominations Committee in 1970 as well as the Council of Subspecialty Societies in 1980-1981. Dr. Burns was awarded Mastership in 1987 and received the Laureate Award in 1986.

Harry Edstrom, FACP

Harry Edstrom, FACP, a Canadian internist and advocate for health care reform, died on July 7, 2009, at the age of 67.

Dr. Edstrom received his medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1966. He completed his residency at St. John's General Hospital and Dalhousie University Affiliated Teaching Hospitals before doing a fellowship in respiratory medicine and research at the University of Manitoba. He spent his career teaching future physicians and caring for patients in the hospitals of Eastern Health Authority/Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Dr. Edstrom was also actively involved in a number of medical organizations. He served on the board of directors of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, the Canadian Medical Association and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He was also president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association.

Within ACP, Dr. Edstrom served as ACP Governor for the Atlantic Provinces in 2002-2006. He became a Fellow of the College in 1980 and received the Laureate Award from the Atlantic Provinces in 2007.