In Memoriam: Lawrence H. Cohn, MD, Pioneering Cardiac Surgeon
All are welcome to share condolences and memories of Dr. Cohn in the comments section below the story.
BWH and the Division of Cardiac Surgery mourn the loss of Lawrence H. Cohn, MD, a pioneering cardiac surgeon and devoted educator, former chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and the Virginia and James Hubbard Chair in Cardiac Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He passed away Jan. 9 at the age of 78.
“Dr. Cohn believed that holding a patient’s heart in one’s hand was a privilege, and he was determined that those he taught would be worthy of that privilege,” said BWHC President Betsy Nabel, MD.
Added Michael Zinner, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery: “In his nearly 45 years at BWH, Dr. Cohn has left an indelible mark on the hospital, helping to position it as a leader in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and training scores of surgeons, many of whom have become national leaders in the field. He was a giant in the field of cardiac surgery and will be missed.”
Having performed more than 11,000 cardiac surgical operations, Dr. Cohn was a world-renowned expert in the field of valve repair and replacement surgery and minimally invasive heart valve surgery. His leadership was instrumental to many “firsts” at the hospital. In 1984, he was part of a team that completed the first heart transplant in New England at a time when very few medical centers in the country were performing such operations. In 1996, he led a team that replaced an aortic valve through a three-inch incision instead of opening the entire chest.
Eugene Braunwald, MD, founding chairman of the TIMI Study Group and former BWH physician-in-chief, was a mentor and close friend of Dr. Cohn. They worked together in the 1960s when Dr. Cohn was training at the NIH and again later at the Brigham.
“He was brilliant, one of the world’s top cardiac surgeons and had a great sense of humor,” said Braunwald. “He was very devoted to his patients and interacted closely with their families. He trained many of the most outstanding cardiac surgeons around the world; they came to the Brigham to train with him. He was a good personal friend, and we will miss him terribly.”
Called a “master of masters in cardiac surgery” by the Journal of Thoracic Disease, Dr. Cohn trained more than 150 residents and fellows at the BWH/Boston Children’s Hospital Program in Cardiothoracic Surgery. He helped to launch the careers of many surgeons who practice at major medical centers worldwide, including about 30 who went on to serve as division chiefs or department chairs.
“Dr. Cohn was a fantastic surgeon to watch and to learn from,” said Prem Shekar, MD, chief of Cardiac Surgery. “Training under Dr. Cohn was a life-changing experience for a surgeon.”
Born in San Francisco, Calif., Dr. Cohn earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree from Stanford School of Medicine. He completed his training at Boston City Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, and a fellowship at the National Heart Institute. Dr. Cohn joined the staff of BWH in 1971 and served as chief of Cardiac Surgery from 1987 until 2005. In 2000, he was awarded the first endowed chair in Cardiac Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Past leadership roles also include chair of the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization and director of the Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory.
He published more than 500 peer-reviewed publications, 105 book chapters and 12 books, including the second, third and fourth editions of “Cardiac Surgery in the Adult,” the most referenced textbook in adult cardiac surgery today. Dr. Cohn’s clinical and research interests included reconstructive valve surgery, minimally invasive technology, adult congenital heart surgery and thoracic aortic pathology.
Dr. Cohn received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a physician, researcher and educator, including an honorary Masters of Medicine from Harvard and a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Paris. He also received the American Heart Association’s highest award, the Paul Dudley White Award.
In 2008, he and his wife, Roberta, established the Cohn Library—a collection of some of the earliest editions of books and papers about cardiac surgery and cardiology, donated by the Cohns to BWH.
“The library is an extremely valuable collection that is especially inspiring to young people in seeing how these fields have developed over the centuries,” said Braunwald.
Dr. Cohn’s generosity to BWH extended beyond the library. In addition to his own philanthropy and leadership as a founding member of the Hippocrates Society Committee, he was a tireless advocate for securing philanthropic support for research, education and innovative programs in cardiac surgery. With his leadership and passion, he helped raise funds for BWH’s minimally invasive valve repair and replacement program and outcomes research in cardiac surgery, as well as the establishment of a dedicated outcomes research fellowship program in the division.
Dr. Cohn was a board member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. He was also an active member of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Historical Society and a former trustee of Massachusetts Financial Services. In his free time, Dr. Cohn was a competitive tennis player and avid golfer. He also enjoyed studying history, skiing, fishing and sailing. His family was extremely important to him, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Roberta; daughters, Leslie Bernstein and Jennifer Cohn; son in-law, Stephen Bernstein; granddaughters, Carly and Rachel; and grandson, Cameron Ellis Cohn.
Information about a BWH memorial service will be forthcoming. Learn more about Dr. Cohn’s career by viewing a video.
44 Responses to “In Memoriam: Lawrence H. Cohn, MD, Pioneering Cardiac Surgeon”
our condolences go out to his family
I was a friend with Larry Cohn for the last few years and really loved him. IN addition, he trained at the Boston City Hospital when I was there also in training (not in surgery). I am so very saddened and sorry that he has passed away, at my age.
Peter Tishler, Physician, Dept. of Medicine.
Dear Mrs Cohn d Family,
I was very saddened to hear that Dr Cohn had passed away. My father (Horace DeLappe) was scheduled for the 3rd case on Saturday, Memorial Day week-end, 1977. He was very sick and I really thought that he would never be able to survive the surgery if he was lucky enough to get to the OR. Dr Cohn saved my father and my family has always been grateful.
Dr Cohn will always be remembered in my prayers.
Patricia DeLappe
Scituate, MA
Dr. Cohn was both a pioneer and a role model. Our father was one of his first patients in 1972, and for over 30 years. He not only had state of the art skills in diagnosing and treating the heart, but also the compassion and wisdom that put the minds of his patients and their families at ease. He will always be in our hearts and memories.
The Parad Family
In 2007 I was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm. I was 55, and in what i thought was excellent health. Living in Florida, my wife asked the cardiologist for the very best surgeon. He told us Dr. Cohn at Brigham and Womens whereupon my wife made the call to his office. During our drive home from cardiologists office, Dr. Cohn called our cell and asked how could he help? My wife said, ‘please save my husband’s life.’ Dr. Cohn understood the aneurysm was emergent and told us to be in Boston in one weeks time. He said he would clear his schedule for the operation. We did so, and the rest is history. It’s almost ten years later and I owe my life to this wonderful man.
Alan Wolfson
I completed a 4th year medical school elective in cardiac surgery at BWH in 2009. I studied from the text that carried his name, and was in awe being in the OR with him. He demanded a lot, but was fair, and made sure I had a great educational experience, getting me involved in his famous mini valve cases even as a student. Was a pleasure.
-W.B., Toronto
It was a true honor working with Dr. Cohn I’m very grateful to have worked with such an amazing surgeon. My condolences to his family. RIP Dr. Cohn you will never be forgotten. Amen
To the Family,
May the Lord comfort you in your time of grieve, as I will remember you in prayer.
Inez R. Harrison
Thank you Dr. Cohn.. You will be missed by many. As my father turns 100 years old on Jan. 24th, I think back to the day you performed triple bypass surgery on him at the young age of 85.. He returned to your office for post operative follow-up and said thank you for giving me a chance to spend more time with my family. You replied “Mr .MacLeod.. you’re going to live a long, long time”.
Larry Cohn held my hand before and many times since 1992 when he held and masterfully repaired my heart, giving me these added years for my career and the gift of time with Jane to watch our children and grandchildren grow and succeed. We will always be grateful for his professionalism and humanity.
I always enjoyed hearing Dr Cohn speaking as a guest on the WBZ Nightside radio program with Dan Rea. He will also be greatly missed by his radio audience. Condolences…
Larry was a masterful surgeon. He was also quite a character. He was not “one of a kind” in that he shared so many attributes seen in the really early cardiac surgery pioneers. I don’t think I ever had a random encounter with him in the hall or at a social event that he didn’t get me to laugh. He had a refreshing irreverence for formality, and never tolerated even the slightest arrogance in his colleagues. He had a joy of discussing technical details of how to do an operation, and a naturally innovative mind. He was fast. Really fast. He taught other surgeons how to be fast. He was quick-witted, and really appreciated wit in others. He was impatient to see the future, and supported the innovative surgeons working around him. He took tremendous pride in the careers of those who were educated by him and very supportive of my own career. The pictures on the wall of his office was a beautiful summary of the last 40 years of cardiac surgery. The books in his personal collection are a summary of the history of medicine and surgery. His empty chair is a sad testament to the fact that all things must change.
My friendship with Larry goes back to when he was in high school and we would meet at his cousin’s house in San Francisco and during his time in medical school at Stanford. As our paths crossed “on the Pike” he would always stop and we would briefly “catch up” on what was going on in our lives. He will be remembered not only as a great cardiac surgeon but as a most decent human being who knew how to give back.
Dr. Cohn,
I’ll never for get the kindness and gratitude you and others have always shown me. This was from day one of knowing all of you and I was just a teenager. I can still remember when the Robot first arrived to the Brigham you taught me and my peers back than all about the Robotic Surgery and it’s equipment years ago. I remember Carol Richards and I coming up with standard basic kits and major ones for major cases. You worked on it right along with the sales reps her and I when it first came. You have always had such a nice smile and a really nice shine about yourself towards all people. This is the one thing I will never ever forget about you. You were definitely a people person. I learned a heck of a lot from you not only working in the Cardiac service just in general. You will be missed a great deal by me. Rip
Dr. Cohn was one of the best teachers and mentors ever, a very caring and compassionate friend, and an excellent role model and Father Figure. He was a true Pioneer in Cardiovascular Surgery. He will be deeply missed.
seing DR cohn over the years he was alwasy on the go in the or on floor he will be greatly mist may he RIP
Mayra Scott BWH Office Services/Mailroom Shipping Coordinator
I had the pleasure of sorting and sending out Dr. Lawrence Cohn’s mail. I had known Dr. Cohn for over 20 years he was always very pleasant and courteous he will be missed. RIP Dr. Cohn you will always be remembered….
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Cohn for 20 plus years as I had the pleasure of working for his protégé Dr. Richard Shemin at Boston Medical Center in the Dept of Cardiothoracic Surgery. I got to know him via my numerous calls to BWH, as Dr. Shemin would say “get Larry on the phone” and I immediately knew who he was talking about. When Dr. Shemin left BMC to pursue another professional opportunity at the David Geffen School of Medicine I too decided it was also an opportunity for me to move on as well. I took a position at BWH in Thoracic Surgery and I finally had the chance to meet Dr. Cohn and Ann in person. He was always nice and pleasant. My heart felt condolences goes out to his family as well as his Brigham partners and staff. God speed Dr. Cohen.
Dr. Cohn never operated on my heart but that didn’t stop him from leaving a lasting impression on it. I will carry the lessons learned from his leadership, humor, and grace with me always.
Larry, it is hard to imagine the Brigham without you ever present. You were, and still are, larger than life, and a defining element of this great institution that was your home away from home for all these years. I have been here 22 years, just a beginner by your standards. You always made time for me, even at the very beginning, so we could work through problems together, or I could just sit and listen, ever grateful for your advice. It is no coincidence that you were chosen as chair of the board of the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization in its earliest days, for your vision and influence reached far beyond cardiac surgery. Recently, your work on assessment and standardization of complex medical devices across our system improved patient care and saved precious resources that could be applied to other areas of our mission. Always smart, always funny, a living embodiment of a “life teacher,” you leave us with an empty space in our hearts, but a warmth in our souls.
I feel as though a huge tree in a forest has fallen.
I got to know Larry because he was the first Chair of the Board of BWPO. He always loved the BWPO and was very proud of how far it had evolved under his guidance and leadership. The next Board chairs stood on his shoulders to guide us to even greater size and achievements. Larry was there at the Board, Executive Committee and Finance Committee, offering sage advice, asking the tough questions that needed to be asked but seldom were.
I learned a great deal from Larry and saw him as one of the great mentors in my life. He always had time to talk and to learn what was going on. I also knew that his cardiac surgery skills and relationships with patients, family and referring physicians were second to none. I will greatly miss Larry every time I walk the Pike or when we are at BWPO meetings and we need his advice and counsel.
Isn’t it wonderful to see how much Dr. Cohn gave to humanity! To see how much he was loved and appreciated by so many talented people in the medical profession, is a testament to a man who gave so much to his fellow man . Rest in peace Dr. Cohen.
My first 5 years as a PA working with Dr. Cohn. A great mentor and influence. He got the best out of the people around him and built an incredible team. His words and wisdom are part of who I am today. Strong work ethic, decisiveness and be great at what you do. These are from him. Thank you Dr. Cohn.
I had the privilege of being one of the last cardiac surgery fellows to operate with Professor Cohn at the Brigham. I was humbled by his company, honored by his teachings, and delighted by his sense of humor. The class of 2013 Brigham cardiac fellows spent a memorable night having steaks with the professor on Boylston Street – the memory of his passion for cardiac surgery, and for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, are well alive in all his students and disciples.
I did not personally work with Dr. Cohn, but as part of the Brigham family, I saw him often over the years and knew how much he was loved by colleagues and patients alike; I will miss his great presence walking along the Pike. I pray that God will comfort the family and all those who were blessed to know and work with Dr. Cohn.
Sending warm thoughts and prayers to the family of Dr. Cohn. I was shocked to hear of his passing. Having worked as a BWH nurse for the past 28 years, I have seen Dr. Cohn in action on many occasions. He was known for his superb talent and care for his patients. I really enjoyed listening to his segments on Dan Rea’s NightSide show on WBZ during some of my drives home from work. He will be sorely missed by his patients and extended BWH family. I am so sorry for your loss.
My condolences go out to the Cohn family. I am truly sorry for our loss. Yours as a family man ours as a great surgeon. He will be missed.
Larry was one of the people who made the Brigham a special place – so full of energy and enthusiasm for the Brigham, medicine, and life. Even just running into him in the hall you felt you needed to be on your toes. We will miss him.
To Dr. Cohn’s family,
My family is all thinking of your family at this time. When my father was 89, he was incredibly fortunate to be in the care of Dr. Cohn for life-saving surgery. My father is now 95 and often speaks of how privileged (and lucky) he was to be one of Dr. Cohn’s patients. He and my mother just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary — a gift of time we truly owe to Dr. Cohn. Thanks to the Cohn family for sharing a brilliant surgeon and compassionate man with us…
Carol Vallone & Family
Dear Roberta,
This is Bob Guezuraga, the retired President of MDT Cardiac Surgery. It is with great fondness that I remember your husband. I offer my condolences to you, and your entire family. It was always a joy and a challenge to be with Larry. He planted ideas in my head, and then with that smile expected me to do something about it. His touch in CS is not just local, and national, but also international, in that those ideas he planted in my head lead to new products and procedures in Cardiac Surgery now practiced throughout the world.
With fondness I remember the fun the four of us had during our dinners together, and the saying I learned from two very witty friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Bob
PS
I still have, and brag about the umbrella you came up with. It’s fantastic 🙂
Dr. Cohn was both a pioneer and a role model. Our father was one of his first patients in 1972, and for over 30 years. He not only had state of the art skills in diagnosing and treating the heart, but also the compassion and wisdom that put the minds of his patients and their families at ease. He will always be in our hearts and memories.
The Parad Family
I lost a kindred spirit and a wonderfully inspiring colleague – Ed Laws
Dr. Cohn was a pioneer in Cardiac Surgery. He was a mentor to physicians, physician assistants, and nurses educating all of us about Cardiac Surgery procedures and patient care. He will be missed as he was part of Brigham & Women’s Hospital for decades! Everyone who knew him feels a great emptiness and sadness knowing we will never see him again and share his knowledge and dedication to Cardiac Surgery. The halls of Brigham & Women’s Hospital will never be the same.
Almost twenty years ago, this man fixed my broken heart. In a state of the art repair of 4 hours, observed closely by 20 medical professionals, he saved my life with virtually no post-operative complications. Beyond that and quite remarkably, he enabled me to maintain most of the same quality of life and physical activity that I had before. He is the reason I was physically able to go on with my life to get married and support and raise three children. Because he miraculously spared my natural valve, I need no warfarin, so I have been able to bicycle commute for the past 20 years, traverse the Grand Canyon and hike solo in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.
I am incredibly saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague.
I remember him from when I began my tenure at PBBH Larry was the young Cardiac Surgeon who joined Jack Collins.
Calm in the most tragic circumstances. Competent in any situation.
Dr Cohn was an extraordinarily gifted surgeon and visionary academic. His understanding of the human condition, unfailing generosity towards others, and love of life itself were well known to those who knew and worked with him.
To Mrs Cohn and family, Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. May he rest in peace and Gd bless always.
Umer Sayeed Shah, MD
From Alfred F. Parisi, MD:
I was very saddened to learn of the death of my old friend, tennis partner/competitor and colleague Dr. Lawrence Cohn.
My deepest condolences to Roberta and his family.
Dear Roberta, I just learned of Larry’s death and I would like to extend my condolence to you and your family. We had a great time at NIH and our frequent meetings at national cardiac and surgical meetings were always enhanced when the two of you were there. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with Larry and to be on programs with him. Larry was a wonderful friend and great associate in our field of endeavor. We loved to compete and to see each other at meetings, his smile and friendship were exceptional. Lida and I are doing well and would love to hear from you. My love and empathy to you. Ron And Lida
Lawrence H. Cohn, MD
My personal reflections
I was fortunate to have a chance to spend six months, June to December 1986, in the cardiac surgery research laboratory at Harvard Medical School under the guidance of Dr. Cohn.
I learnt a lot about Dr. Cohn during that time and got to know Roberta his wife because we were invited to his home on several occasions. The most impressive thing about Dr. Cohn was his efficiency. In every thing he did, he was the most efficient person I have known. However high his desk was piled up in the morning he always cleaned it out before he left for the day and he was almost always gone by 7:00 PM. He always answered my letters, phone calls or e-mails very promptly and with the briefest but clear answers. At work, he was always direct, to the point, and clear in his statements and brief. That is why it would probably take 10 ordinary surgeons to accomplish what Dr. Cohn did in his professional life. It is almost unimaginable what he accomplished at Brigham and still remaining a devoted husband, father, friend, and more outside of work.
On several occasions Roberta asked me to call him Larry, since every one else did. One day I asked him how I should address him and he said “Raza, it is up to you what you feel comfortable in, since I still call my mentor Dr. Shumway and not Norman as every one else does.” I have always called him Dr. Cohn. While I will not dare to call him a friend, he was a big supporter and became warmer over the years.
Dr. Cohn came to visit our Department in Buffalo and after the talk he was giving, he spent the afternoon with me at my home, playing tennis, taking a nap and then we spent three hours in Niagara Falls after which he left. He was most gracious and it was a memorable day for me.
In September 2002 I suffered from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm and survived, but a subsequent angiogram showed another aneurysm close to the Ophthalmic artery. When I came to my senses and learnt that the surgeons in Buffalo were recommending a craniotomy to clip the second aneurysm but could not guarantee that my vision would not suffer in my right eye, I asked my sister to call Dr. Cohn for advice. He immediately arranged for the Neurosurgeon at Brigham who had written a book on aneurysms of the Ophthalmic arteries, Dr. Arthur Day, to call me. The same night I flew by private plane to Boston and Dr. Day operated on me the next morning. I recovered fully and am cured of this potentially fatal disease with my vision intact. During my follow up visit to see Dr. Day six weeks later my sister and I invited Dr. Cohn and Roberta and Dr. and Mrs. Day for dinner and had a memorable evening.
The Buffalo heart surgery program had peaked in 1999 and started to decline due to poor management and poor choices of chiefs the administration was making. By 2004 I was thoroughly fed up with the way things were going there and accepted a job in a small town in West Virginia to start a new heart surgery program there. I moved to Parkersburg in January of 2005 and after I settled there I wrote to Dr. Cohn about my move. He wrote back very shortly afterwards, “Great. Let me know if I can help in any way.” I wrote back to ask that if I could arrange a two day symposium with live mitral valve repair surgery, would he come. He accepted almost immediately. In the Spring of 2006 we had a very successful two day symposium where Dr. Cohn was the chief guest and we had 110 paid registrants. Dr. Cohn did two cases of mitral valve repairs and gave two lectures. We had other speakers as well. I introduced Dr. Cohn as the professional descendant of the likes of John Hunter, the father of modern surgery, Dr. Dwight Harken the first chief of heart surgery at Brigham and a pioneering surgeon who made heart surgery more likely to succeed, Dr. Norman Shumway who was Dr. Cohn’s mentor and father of heart transplantation surgery. Since the year 2006 was also the 300th birth anniversary of Benjamin Franklin, I also shared the story of Benjamin Franklin making a visit from France where he was the US Ambassador in 1778 to England to consult John Hunter for a bladder stone, which had become extremely painful. Dr. Cohn loved the introduction and grabbed the printed copy from me and said I will save this excellent introduction.
So, in both my personal and professional lives Dr. Cohn always helped me. I became and remain one of his many admirers and I will miss him.
Syed Tasnim Raza, MD
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY
I enjoyed my talks with Dr. Cohn as we travelled to meet with referring physicians in New England. Listening to him speak about his youth, how much he loved caring for patients and his pride and love for his family are things I will always remember. I knew to always be early to pick him up and we always arrived at our destination well in advance of when we needed to be there….we were NEVER late!
When my sister I travel from the BahamasTo meet Dr. Cohn we was so amaze about his kind heart. We both had surgery the same day. Our family will be forever greatful. To this giant of a man. That was sixteen years ago. We are both doing well. The world has lost a great man. All the best to his family.
I was fortunate to meet and have interview with him. At 07:00 am, in his office we had a talk about my home country Turkey and the time that I spend in Baylor College of Medicine with Dr. Letsou. I was not quite sure that he would accept me as clinical fellow. However, he did, and accept me for cardiovascular surgery fellow program. Thank you very much for everything. Rest in peace Dr. Cohn. All the best to his family.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Dr. Cohn about 16 years ago, when my Dad, had a massive Heart Attack in Peabody, MA. He was brought to the Salem, MA hospital where they got him stable and transferred him to become the patient of Dr. Lawrence Cohn. Dr. Cohn advised my brother and I that our Dad was in rough shape and the only hope was to perform a quadruple by-pass operation on him. Dad was about 72 years old at that point. Dr. Cohn was very forthright with us and told us that there was no guarantee that our Dad would survive the surgery. We had no choice, but to follow our faith. Dr. Cohn performed a quadruple surgery on our Dad, but didn’t put him on the heart lung machine. He made us understand that our father’s heart would be beating the entire time. A few hours later, the Dr. came out of surgery and was ecstatic!! He said that our Dad came through with flying colors and that we could go see him in recovery in about a half hour. A half hour later, we went into the room and Dad was lying there, comfortably, not a lot of tubes coming out of him and looked like a new man. He was all smiles and said that if passed all of the tests over the next two days, he could come home!! About a half hour later, Dr. Cohn confirmed what our Dad said and my brother and I were in awe. He said that we’ll get another 20 years out of our Dad!! 2 days later we took him home. He recovered quickly and uneventfully. We lost him in his sleep, about 3 months after Dr. Cohn passed. He was 92 years old and completely independent. Thank you Dr. Cohn. Please Rest In Peace. Thank you for being the kind, gentle, caring man that you are…..we were blessed to have known you. May Your Name and Memory Be For A Blessing……..Amen