It is with great sadness that we inform you that Tony Fisher, former Chief Clinical Perfusion Scientist (Chief Perfusionist), has died aged 75.

Tony began his Clinical Perfusion Career at King’s College Hospital, London in 1972 as a trainee clinical Perfusionist. Tony went on to complete his Master’s degree in Biophysics & Bioengineering. He then became Deputy Chief of Clinical Perfusion at Guy’s Hospital in 1979 and then Chief of Clinical Perfusion Science at the Brook Hospital in 1983 until its closure in 1995. During his time as head of department at the Brook Hospital, Tony was appointed as a clinical research scientist and embarked upon an inexhaustible volume of Clinical Perfusion and Cardiac Surgical based research. Tony was a prolific author and has over 50 peer reviewed scientific publications to his credit.

Following the closure of the Brook Hospital, Tony embarked upon a teaching degree and was appointed as lecturer in Medical Physics and Physiological Measurements at City of Westminster College. Tony had a passion and a flare for teaching unrivaled by others as he became the Clinical Perfusion professions ‘Perfusion Educator’ that we all knew and loved.

Tony joined Harefield Hospital in 1996 as a research scientist where he stayed until 2004.

In 2004, Tony was appointed as course tutor for the Master’s Degree in Perfusion Science delivered at North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT).

Tony is responsible for education of the vast many of the practicing Clinical Perfusion Scientists today!

In 2004, Tony completed the circle in his professional career as Clinical Perfusion Scientist as he returned to where it all begun, King’s College Hospital, London. Tony re-joined King’s as a Senior Clinical Perfusion Scientist in 2004 where he remained until he hung up his clamps in 2006 marking the end of his Clinical practicing career. Tony continued to dedicate his time to the teaching and education of Clinical Perfusion Scientists not just in the UK but across the world.

Tony spent a large part of his career ‘giving back’. Tony was a proud part of the surgical team carrying out several Cardiac Surgical Missions for ‘Chain of Hope’ Charity. It is estimated that as many as 15 million children die or remain severely ill every year through potentially treatable or preventable cardiac diseases. Chain of Hope exists to provide children from developing countries affected by life-threatening heart conditions with the medical treatment to save their lives.

It was Tony’s wish that we all continue to support Chain of Hope.

Tony is survived by his loving wife and lifelong partner Paula.

By Michael Whitehorne MSc, AACP, PGCE Clin Ed, FCCP, FSCP, FHEA