Harold T. Dodge-John L. Locke Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine

Est. 2004

The Harold T. Dodge-John L. Locke Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine was established in 2004, its intent to help the UW School of Medicine attract and retain distinguished faculty members in the field of cardiovascular medicine. The fund was created by the John L. Locke, Jr. Charitable Trust.

Dr. Harold T. Dodge, a professor and former co-director of the Division of Cardiology in the School of Medicine, was a national leader in applying the techniques of modern computing to cardiovascular research. His pioneering research in the 1950s and 1960s led to the development of the measurement of ventricular volumes, calculation of ejection fraction and, more recently, regional ventricular function. These techniques have become standard cardiac catheterization practices. Dr. Dodge also was instrumental in the development of quantitative analysis of the coronary angiogram, an approach that is used widely in many current research trials. In addition, Dr. Dodge was a trustee of the John L. Locke, Jr. Charitable Trust.

Dr. Dodge authored more than 150 scientific publications and was a member of the editorial boards of all the major cardiovascular journals. He held the American Heart Association of Washington Chair of Cardiovascular Research from 1969 to 1986 and was a visiting professor of cardiology at many medical schools. Dr. Dodge received numerous awards, including the American Heart Association Research Achievement Award in 1985, the Hungarian Institute of Cardiology Gottsegen Memorial Medal in 1987, and the American Heart Association Henick Award for distinguished teaching, research and clinical contributions in 1987. He passed away in 1999.

This chair is also named in memory of John L. Locke, Jr., a victim of heart disease. At the time of his death in 1968, he bequeathed his estate to support “the care, treatment, and research of heart disease.” Upon the recommendation of his personal physician, Dr. William E. Watts, funds from his estate were used to establish the John L. Locke, Jr. Coronary Care Center at Swedish Hospital and Medical Center, and the John L. Locke, Jr. Health Sciences Computer Center at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

In 1979, Irene Fisher Locke, Mr. Locke’s mother, created the John L. Locke, Jr. Charitable Trust with a personal gift. Income from the trust was to be used to enhance, in perpetuity, the programs in heart research and treatment established by her son’s bequest.

If you are interested in supporting this work, please make a gift.