Recent Losses to the APSF Community

Dr. J.S. Gravenstein

Dr J. S. "Nik" Gravenstein was a pioneer in anesthesia and patient safety. Nik served on the APSF Board of Directors and the Executive Committee from 1986 to 1995 and remained an advisor and role model for many years after.  Dr. Gravenstein was an innovator in patient simulation and a founding member and former chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Florida. Nik passed away on January 16, 2009 and will be missed by all who new him. The APSF extends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Dr. Robert J. McQuillan

The APSF family recently lost another contributor to the cause of patient safety, Dr. Robert J. McQuillan, age 47.  Bob was an associate professor of Anesthesiology and Clinical Ethics at Creighton University and former chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Creighton.  In addition to his anesthesia practice and extensive leadership efforts, Bob joined the APSF Committee on Education and Training in 2006, and was involved in training and research in patient safety, teamwork development (TeamSTEPPS) in the perioperative arena, and human factors. Bob is survived by his wife, Colleen M. McQuillan; daughters, Bridget and Erin; and his son, Gavin. He was a friend of APSF and an enthusiastic advocate of its vision that no patient be harmed by anesthesia.  He will be missed.  The APSF extends its condolences to Dr. McQuillan’s family, friends and colleagues.