In memoriam

Barry L. Zaret, MD (1940–2022)

Barry L. Zaret, MD, died in a tragic car accident on October 20, 2022. Barry was 82 years old and just getting into his prime as he had miles to run before he slept. In partnership with Dr. H. William Strauss, they literally started the field of nuclear cardiology as we know it and these clinical and basic concepts have moved our field forward ever since. Dr. Zaret authored hundreds of medical articles, chapters, books, and editorials as well as provided countless insightful presentations. His overall performance as a truly gifted teacher, mentor, guru, and sensei is a paragon of kindness and caring.

A tiny sliver of what he accomplished beyond these publications includes being the chairman of cardiology at Yale University for 26 years, founding editor of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, co-founder of both the International Conference of Nuclear Cardiology (ICNC) and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), and marathon runner, published poet, exhibited painter, a pillar of the B’nai Jacob Congregation, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a firm supporter of European nuclear cardiology, and his contributions to the EANM Congress and to the Nuclear Cardiology Today meetings in Cesena (1992–2008) remain unforgettable.

Barry was a lion of a man charging through life and leading his pride. He was a true Renaissance person who showed us the way in science, clinical practice, imaging, poetry, art, and anything else he cared to do. There was a pure and keen sense for what was the essence of all there was to do in life and inspired all of us to be and do our best.

We fondly recall how he put his unique scientific and artistic vision of a renaissance man into a meeting he codirected in Monteriggioni (Tuscany: July 1999). The title was “Renaissance perspective in Nuclear Cardiology” which focused on the future expansion of nuclear cardiology imaging on a molecular basis as well as visiting inspiring Tuscan sites and having some delegates give historical (1450–1990) perspectives (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

“Nuclear Cardiology Today” meeting dinner, Cesena 2008

Dr. Zaret had an insatiable passion for life and family and those who he touched knew that his love, concern, and council carried well beyond his nuclear family. His humanistic combination or art, literature, and science is probably the singular legacy of this extraordinary man that we have had the privilege to know as a dear friend and colleague.

There is no better way to express his impact than to leave you with his own words,

NUCLEAR IMAGES

My life, a montage of images.

In the lab, nuclear images –

heart scans.

showing blood supply.

after isotope injected.

First done when young,

career beginning,

initial success.

Now daily practice.

Many patients studied,

all awaiting answers,

some anxious,

some resigned,

some seeming not to care.

Images read,

reports written,

work done.

All the while.

knowing little.

of those imaged –

their families,

loves,

woes,

occupations,

their life’s poetry.

Will the tests trigger.

new treatment,

concern, alarm,

fear or relief?

Days follow days,

pixels follow pixels.

images follow images,

schedules filled and refilled.

Patients return to changed lives.

Unaltered readers remain in offices,

viewing more images.

in two dimensions,

unaware of the humanity.

behind each study,

quenching thirst.

from half-filled glasses.

Nuclear images, my profession,

nuclear patients, my soul.

From “house of many rooms” 2021 in https://antrimhousebooks.com/zaret3.html.