CITY CARDIOLOGIST DIES OF COVID
TRIBUTES PAID TO CARDIOLOGIST WHO DIED FROM COVID-19 AT CITY HOSPITAL
TRIBUTES have been paid to a renowned cardiologist who made a difference to “many, many” lives after he died from coronavirus while being treated at Glenfield Hospital, where he worked.
Professor Anthony Gershlick, 69, who was known as Tony and was a consultant cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital and Honorary Professor of Interventional Cardiology at the University of Leicester, died in the early hours of Friday in intensive care.
He had worked at Leicester’s hospitals since May 1989.
In December 2018, he formally began work for the University of Leicester, but continued working as an honorary consultant at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
British Cardiovascular Society President Professor Simon Ray described his colleague as a “leading light of interventional cardiology for more than 35 years”.
Another colleague said he was a “household name in cardiology”.
Rebecca Brown, acting chief executive, at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “This is devastating news for us all at Leicester’s Hospitals.
“Tony was a much loved member of the team who will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.
“Our thoughts are with his family and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to them on behalf of everyone at the Trust.”
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester, said: “Today we are mourning the loss of a dear and valued member of our university community.
“Tony Gershlick was an extremely dedicated and well-regarded member of our staff who has left an indelible mark on the life of the university.
“His work has led to a positive change in his field. He will be remembered with great affection by all and will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences go out to Tony’s family at this time.”
Andrew Furlong, medical director at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “Tony was well known and well respected, locally, nationally and internationally.
“He made many significant contributions to the field of cardiology over his long career and was at the forefront of early work on coronary interventions and many significant research studies. He was deeply committed to the training and development of junior doctors and registrars and known for his dedication to his field and his patients. He made a difference to many, many lives.
“Since April, Tony had been working in non-Covid environments and was conducting much of his work via virtual consultations.
“He had taken on caseloads from other consultants to help during the pandemic and had been working tirelessly to provide continued care to cardiology patients.
“This was typical of Tony, who was well known for his strong work ethic.
“We all feel Tony’s loss and those colleagues who knew him well will miss his wise words and sense of humour.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues here, at the university and across the cardiology community.”
Colleagues will today observe a minute’s silence in Prof Gershlick’s memory.
Professor Philip Baker, PVC and Head of College of Life Science at the University of Leicester, said: “As an academic, Tony was determined to push the boundaries of clinical care, to make a difference for his patients, and indeed, patients around the world.
“There will be a time to celebrate his many achievements, but now is a time for sadness – at the passing of a very special person.”
Prof Gershlick had a stellar career. Highlights included receiving the inaugural British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) Lifetime Achievement Career Award for his contributions to cardiology in 2017.
He led countless clinical trials and was considered an expert in his field and often spoke at conferences across the world.
He had been involved in practice-changing research conceiving, initiating and running four major national and international trials that have changed the way patients are treated, which have been adopted as international guidelines.
Prof Gershlick undertook his first procedure in the mid-1980s and remained active clinically until he became unwell recently.