Honoring Stephen A. Harrison, MD, FAASLD: Pioneer who ‘propelled field of MASH forward’
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Col. Stephen A. Harrison, MD, FAASLD, a key leader in the field of hepatology who dedicated his life to caring for patients and developing treatments for liver disease, died on April 23.
Harrison founded and chaired Pinnacle Clinical Research in San Antonio and was a pioneer in liver disease research, particularly in pursuit of treatment options for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, according to a statement from Pinnacle Clinical Research. He played a pivotal role in the development of Rezdiffra (resmetirom, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals), the first FDA-approved treatment for MASH.
His career spanned 30 years and included the publication of more than 350 peer-reviewed articles and 50,000 citations, achieving an h-index of 106. He served in the United States Army for more than 20 years, retiring in 2016 as colonel. During his tenure, he served as director of graduate medical education at Brooke Army Medical Center, associate dean for the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium and gastroenterology consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General.
Harrison also cofounded and chaired Summit Clinical Research in San Antonio and served as visiting professor of hepatology at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford in England. He earned his doctorate in medicine from the University of Mississippi.
‘Left a huge deficit’
“The liver community has lost an incredible clinician and researcher. Dr. Harrison has helped define MASLD and the therapeutic pipeline for this disease. Beyond his scientific contributions, Stephen was a warm genuine person, and his death has left a huge deficit.”
Nancy S. Reau, MD, FAASLD, AGAF
Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology and section chief
Associate director of organ transplantation
Rush University
‘Thought leader in hepatology’
Dr. Stephen Harrison, a thought leader in hepatology, propelled the field of MASH forward by pioneering research and served as a trusted collaborator and valued friend. His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt, as his contributions and compassionate presence will be sorely missed.
Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc
Professor of medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
‘Advocate’s advocate’
The sudden passing of Dr. Harrison is heartbreaking personally and professionally. We aligned as entrepreneurial spirits trading advice on what to read, how to create clarity out of complexity, how to build teams and solve big problems. He was an advocate’s advocate and will be terribly missed.
Donna R. Cryer, JD
Founder and CEO
Global Liver Institute
‘Indisputable contributions’ in MASLD, MASH
Stephen was not only a leader in the field of MASLD and MASH with indisputable contributions to the field, but he was also a thoughtful, kind, positive, generous and hardworking individual. His passing is an immense loss to the field and to his family but also to all of us — his friends and colleagues.
Zobair M. Younossi, MD, MPH, FACP, FACG, AGAF
Emeritus Chairman
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
Editor’s note: The passing of Dr. Harrison hit us personally at Healio as we have worked with him extensively over the years. As a longtime member of the Healio Peer Perspective board, Dr. Harrison was a major contributor to the publication, always eager to lend a hand and tirelessly advocate for hepatology physicians and their patients. The Healio team is fortunate to have had him guide our news coverage and are grateful for his leadership and insight. We will sorely miss him.
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