Brigham and Women’s Hospital mourns the loss of Galen V. Henderson, MD, FNCS, chief diversity and inclusion officer for Faculty, Trainees and Students in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) and neurocritical care physician in the Department of Neurology, who died Dec. 26 following a recent illness. He was 56.
Remembered as an esteemed physician and scientist, authentic leader, caring colleague and dedicated mentor, Dr. Henderson was a member of the Brigham community for nearly three decades. His long tenure, varied roles and selfless nature enabled countless individuals to benefit from his wisdom and kindness, colleagues said.
“It is said that a person’s life can be measured by the good they do — their compassion, integrity and positive influence on the world. By that standard, Dr. Henderson leaves behind an inspired and tremendous legacy, one that lives on in the thousands of patients, families, colleagues and mentees whose lives he touched,” said Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and executive vice president at Mass General Brigham.
Dr. Henderson left a similar impression on longtime colleague Tina Gelsomino, MSW, senior director of the CDI.
“Galen was my friend, partner and collaborator — always sunny, eternally kind and miraculously unflappable,” she said. “His mind was limitless, and he had a heart of gold. The world was brighter and better because of him.”
After completing his residency in the Harvard-Longwood Neurology Training Program in 1997 and a fellowship in Neurocritical Care at the Brigham the following year, Dr. Henderson subsequently joined the Brigham’s Neurology department, where he became director of Neurocritical Care in 2001. During his 20-year tenure, the service grew from five to 20 beds and is now one of the busiest intensive care units (ICUs) at the Brigham.
In addition to being a leading expert and researcher specializing in cerebrovascular disease, critical care neurology and strokes, he was a trailblazer in his field as the nation’s first Black neuro-intensivist. He was also an assistant professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School (HMS), where his research focused on clinical trials regarding treatments for stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.
“Galen was a trusted and cherished colleague in our department,” said Tracy Batchelor, MD, MPH, neurologist-in-chief and chair of Neurology. “He will be remembered for his kindness, his integrity, his devotion to his patients and his commitment to equity in all that he did.”
In recognition of his endless dedication to elevating opportunities for those who are underrepresented in science and medicine, Dr. Henderson was named interim chief diversity and inclusion officer at the CDI in August 2020. He was appointed officially to the role the following spring and ultimately helped usher in the most diverse classes of residents in the hospital’s history.
In a 2021 essay, Dr. Henderson wrote candidly about the joys of his career in medicine, as well as the complexities of being a Black male physician. From an early age, his family instilled in him the importance of becoming part of “the talented tenth,” a term coined by W.E.B. Dubois about college-educated Black men who would become the country’s next great leaders. For Dr. Henderson, fulfilling this calling became a lifelong mission, and one he attained through academic medicine, he wrote.
“I’m extremely proud to be a physician. I literally save lives every day. I know that I am making a contribution to society and I’m trying to prepare my shoulders for the next generation of people who don’t fit the stereotype of what a physician looks like,” he wrote. “I am part of the talented tenth. The question I ask you is, are you on your mission?”
Among those in the next generation whose careers he uplifted was neuro-oncologist Nicolas Gonzalez Castro, MD, PhD, who recalled first meeting Dr. Henderson as a third-year medical student at HMS.
“Galen was manning the neurology table at one of the residency programs’ showcases organized by the CDI. I was impressed that someone so senior and busy — by then he was already an assistant professor and director of the Neuro ICU — would spend a whole evening chatting with medical students,” Gonzalez Castro said. “From the beginning, I was struck by his approachable and caring demeanor, while also coming across as ceremonial and dignified. This helped him develop enduring relationships with trainees and colleagues, as well as helped him guide patients and families through very difficult decisions in the Neuro ICU.”
A Mississippi native, Dr. Henderson was a graduate of Tougaloo College, a historically Black college and university in Jackson, Miss., where he majored in chemistry. His earned his medical degree at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, which was also where he met his wife, Vanessa M. Britto, MD, MMSc, at a conference on Brown’s campus in 1989.
In addition to his work at the Brigham, Dr. Henderson was the founding deputy editor of Journal Watch Neurology, editor of Reprints in Stroke and the associate medical director of two federally designated organ procurement organizations. He received awards from three different U.S. secretaries of Health and Human Services for his contributions to the development of the Organ Donation National Collaborative.
Additionally, Dr. Henderson was a member of the Board of Trustees of Brown University and was the first alumni of the medical school to serve as president of the university’s Alumni Association. In 2014, he received the Brown Bear Award, one of the highest honors given for distinguished service to Brown University.
For all his academic achievements, however, colleagues emphasized that what they will remember most about Dr. Henderson is his warmth and humanity.
“Working with Galen has been an absolute highlight of my career,” said Morana Lasic, MD, co-interim CDIO and vice chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. “His brilliant mind, kind and generous spirit, wonderful sense of humor, infectious smile that filled a room with warmth, and impeccable fashion sense made every moment unforgettable. He made us all better, and I will miss him forever.”
For longtime friend and colleague Imoigele Aisiku, MD, MBA, chief of the Division of Emergency Critical Care Medicine and co-interim CDIO, his fondest memories of Dr. Henderson have little to do with their work as physicians.
“Galen was a man of many talents, and while his work and legacy are no doubt great, I want to share a simple moment of two grown men just enjoying and appreciating life on our routine busy ICU days,” Aisiku said. “The day I heard of the passing of Prince, Galen was on 9C and I was on 3C. I texted him in disbelief. We met on 3C, reminisced as we lost another icon and thought of how this would impact music. He and I were listening to a medley of Prince videos and quietly enjoying them on the ninth floor where no one could see us for a few minutes.”
Neurologist Carolyn Bernstein, MD, warmly recalled Dr. Henderson as an attentive friend and colleague whom she could always call upon for guidance.
“I’ve never met someone who was such an avid listener. Whenever I would sit and talk with Galen, I felt like whatever I was discussing was the most important thing in the world to him in that moment,” she said. “No matter what it was or who you were, he gave all of his attention and focus to you. Galen had time for everybody, and everybody was important to him.”
For Marilyn Dockery, unit coordinator on Braunwald 9CD, Dr. Henderson was not just a colleague but a mentor and friend. She will miss the times Dr. Henderson would sit beside her, sharing laughter and talking about life.
“Those moments were truly special,” said Dockery who has known Dr. Henderson for the past 25 years. “It’s comforting to know he found joy in life. His legacy is truly remarkable and will be remembered with gratitude.”
Dr. Henderson is survived by his wife, Vanessa Britto, MD, MMSc, as well as many friends and loved ones. Services will be held Sunday, Jan. 14, at 1 p.m. at Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy, 86 Spring St., Marion, MA 02738.
The Brigham is planning a memorial service to honor Dr. Henderson’s life and memory. Details will be shared on BWH-Vitals once available.