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Remembering Holbrook Kohrt
Holbrook Kohrt
In his too-short life of only 38 years, our colleague Holbrook Kohrt accomplished more than most people can hope for in a normal lifespan. Despite being born with hemophilia and putting up with the physical and emotional downsides of such a diagnosis, he turned his life interest in helping others into an MD, a PhD, a specialty in oncology, and a lab in which he worked on immunologic approaches to lymphoma.
Described by his Chief, George Sledge, MD, as “one of the most brilliant translational researchers of his generation,” Kohrt was especially interested in translating what he found in the lab into clinical trials that might guide discoveries into therapies for his patients. “Holbrook’s novel cancer immunotherapy work led directly to the development of clinical trials that may transform the care of cancer patients,” Sledge said. “His loss is a personal one for those of us who knew him, but also a real loss for cancer patients everywhere.”
Friends and colleauges shared stories of his importance in their lives during a weekly hospitalist meeting.
John Kugler, MD, said Kohrt known for his intellect and drive. He continued: “I never knew Holbrook had hemophilia until we were hiking together during the last week of our intern year. While we were walking next to the Truckee River in Lake Tahoe, Holbrook started to limp and requested that we turn around. When I asked him what was wrong he casually mentioned his condition and the joint bleeding he was now suffering from. His spirit and determination inspired and motivated us all.”
A memorial service will be held March 11 in Hawley, Pennsylvania. Details can be found at www.forevermissed.com/holbrook#about. A service will also be held at Stanford at a later date.
Here are links to articles about his untimely death in the New York Times and the Stanford Report.
http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2016/03/stanford-oncologist-holbrook-kohrt-dies-at-38.html