TY - JOUR
AB - On June 18, 1952, Gerald Cooper became a federal employee and began an incredible career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that spanned more than 56 years of service to the public. After Duke Medical School, Cooper embarked on an internship at Emory University. Being inquisitive as he was, he stopped one evening on his way home to check out what appeared to be laboratories being built behind the hospital where he worked. They were the laboratories being formed for the CDC. He was hired by the CDC the next day. During his 56 years of service, Cooper would transform the laboratories into a flawless place, providing a legacy of laboratory research and service that became a standard within government. He started the Division of Chemistry, Hematology, and Pathology at the CDC, which over the years would evolve into the CDC’s Division of Laboratory Sciences. He would have the foresight to recognize the growing importance of blood lipid measurement as a predictor of risk for heart disease and start the CDC Cholesterol Standardization Program, which continues to this day and just celebrated its 50-year anniversary in September of 2008. This program served as the backbone of the National Cholesterol Education Program’s “Know Your Number” cholesterol-lowering campaign. It would also serve and continues to serve as the model for all other programs designed to standardize and improve clinical chemistry laboratory tests. He compiled an extensive list of awards and recognitions throughout his long career. These awards include: 1954 – Ludwig Hektoen Award from the American Medical Association 1956 – Billings Silver Medal from the American Medical Association 1964 – Commendation Medal from the Public Health Service 1975 – The AACC Fisher Award in Clinical Chemistry 1978 – Distinguished Service Medal from the Public Health Service 1979 – AACC New Jersey Section Bernard Gerulat Award for contributions to clinical chemistry 1984 – Assistant Secretary of Health Award for Exceptional Achievement 1984 – President of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 1989 – William C. Watson Medal of Excellence from the CDC 1989 – Atlanta Federal Employee of the Year for Scientific/Professional Achievements 1992 – AACC Award for outstanding contributions to clinical chemistry 1993 – Department of Health and Human Services Award in Biomedical Research 1996 – Walter R. Dowdle Sigma Xi Award for Achievement in Public Health Service 1998 – CDC Award for Contributions to Health and Safety 2002 – CDC Charles C. Shephard Award For Lifetime Scientific Achievement 2004 – Distinguished Alumnus Award – Duke University Medical School 2008 – National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Distinguished Scientist Award He has 2 awards named in his honor. The AACC Lipoproteins and Vascular Disease Division Cooper Award for Service in Clinical Chemistry The AACC Southeast Section Cooper Travel Award intended to help postdoctoral or graduate students interested in clinical chemistry attend local and regional professional meetings. In 2002, a fountain plaza between 2 new laboratory buildings on the CDC campus in Chamblee, Georgia, was named Cooper Plaza in his honor. Cooper published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in the scientific literature. Beyond the unprecedented legacy of his scientific accomplishments and leadership, which has had far-reaching public health impact in laboratory medicine around the world, Cooper was also a mentor, colleague, and friend to so many in the laboratory community. He was a man with an infectious spirit and enthusiastic optimism. He found good in everyone. He took so many scientists under his wing and helped to mentor their careers that it is only fitting that we should conclude with some of the personal messages received at the CDC from Cooper’s friends and colleagues from around the globe. Comments from friends and colleagues of Cooper: “I am sure he will be deeply missed at CDC[,] where his love of the institution and dedication to its purpose and people are never going to be surpassed.” “He was a man not only full of experience of science but of life.” “Gerald was both a gentleman and a gentle man.” “Cooper will stay alive in our minds as the great inspirator of lipid and LP standardization, and as an immense friendly and motivated scientist.” “This is a great loss for the clinical laboratory community worldwide.” “What a glorious human being – a life fully lived and an inspiration to all – thank you Gerald for enriching my life[;] you will be sadly missed.” “Had to admire his love of life and infectious joy.” “The example he set for the rest of us will last forever.” “He was the ultimate professional[,] with compassion and love for everyone he came in contact with throughout his career.” “Visiting with him was the highlight of the AACC every year.” “We can only hope that others will learn by his example and carry on his legacy, not only as a superb and dedicated scientist, but as a truly delightful person.” “Somehow you had the feeling that Gerald was going to be forever[;] certainly my memories of him will be.” “Gerald was a true gentleman, which made disagreeing with him excruciating.” Cooper was a pioneer in laboratory science, and the best tribute we can pay him is the one that happens daily in laboratories throughout the world: to conduct testing for heart disease and other chronic conditions that is based on a foundation of well-standardized quality testing, which he worked so long and hard to provide through his insight and pioneering work. Cooper is survived by his wife Lois, sons Gerald Jr. (daughter-in-law Charlotte) and Rodney, daughter Annetta Cooper Evans (son-in-law Charles Evans), and grandsons Daniel Evans and Christopher Evans. Figure 1. Open in new tabDownload slide Figure 1. Open in new tabDownload slide © 2009 The American Association for Clinical Chemistry This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)
TI - Dr. Gerald R. Cooper Obituary, November 19, 1914 – May 25, 2009
JF - Clinical Chemistry
DO - 10.1373/clinchem.2009.132969
DA - 2009-09-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/oxford-university-press/dr-gerald-r-cooper-obituary-november-19-1914-may-25-2009-v0FSTmKm3j
SP - 1754
VL - 55
IS - 9
DP - DeepDyve
ER -