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ACEP Now: Vol 44 – No 01 – January 2025Dr. Henry and the author, Dr. Schmitz. (Click to enlarge.)
When I posted about his passing on social media, there were hundreds of comments and stories within hours from physicians all over the world. Reading them made me cry and laugh in the same moment. Someone shared a story of Greg helping a stranger aboard an airplane, a patient hiding under a blanket on the flight with tremors. Greg diagnosed him with alcohol withdrawal and unabashedly ordered two gin and tonics from the flight attendant—one for the patient and one for himself. There were also so many heartwarming stories about his VIP patients—the homeless, the marginalized, and those forgotten about by society. He had love for them all.
Toward the end of his career, he refused to call himself retired. He hated that word. He stayed active in many legal and educational aspects of emergency medicine. He volunteered his time to testify and defend emergency physicians in lawsuits and spoke at residency programs around the globe. He always wanted to know what was going on with the College.
I recently reread Tuesdays with Morrie and it made me treasure his regular “check-ins” to discuss life. They weren’t always long conversations and they weren’t always on Tuesdays, but they are now memories that I cherish. He told me about his kids and his grandkids and always asked about my family. We only talked about death once. As only Greg could do, he chuckled and told me that after he passed, he “fully expected people to feed off of his carcass like vultures.” What can I say, the man had a way with words. He was nothing if not consistent. He was saying it so that I would laugh, but I think he meant he had a lot to share. He hoped emergency physicians would carry on his legacy of teaching, storytelling, making people laugh, and giving back to patients and the specialty.
Dr. Greg Henry will be remembered not only as a pioneer in his field but also as a compassionate healer, a visionary teacher, and a cherished friend. Farewell Greg, your shift is over. Your legacy is one of excellence, empathy, and enduring impact.
Dr. Schmitz is professor, Uniformed Services University; vice chair of education in the department of emergency medicine at the NMCSD, and a Past-President of ACEP.
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6 Responses to “Tuesdays with Dr. Greg Henry: A Final Farewell (1946-2024)”
January 17, 2025
Todd B Taylor, MD, FACEPNicely done Gillian!
Greg touched so many lives & in ways only he could.
I will always cherish the moments I spent with him, often “Holding Court”.
Too many aphorisms to count, here is the most practical one for me: “All those journals you have laying around that you plan to read someday . . . throw them away. Life is too short & you will learn more spending time with people.”
May you rest in peace my friend.
January 26, 2025
Robert E. Suter, DO, MHA, FACEPWonderful and amazing tribute Gillian!
You captured so many of Greg’s brilliant medical “aphorisms” which many of us still share with students and colleagues. They really empowered him to be one of the most beloved emergency physicians in the world in spite of sometimes pushing the envelope. Greg had an amazing power to say things that, if said by others, would result in a riot and instead of being angry the audience would roar in laughter!
Working with Dr. Henry outside of ACEP, as an employee of the Group he was one of the partners in, I saw another side of him that taught me a lot. We all know that Greg loved the limelight, but in our Group, where Greg was not the CEO, he was reserved and respectful of his partners. The consummate thespian, Dr. Henry knew when he was the lead and when he was a supporting actor and played his part like the true professional that he was.
Greg Henry spent his professional life advancing the the cause of emergency medicine, and is most deserving of a prominent spot on that noblest of shrines wherein his glory is laid up to be eternally remembered. Rest in Eternal Peace my noble friend and mentor….
January 26, 2025
Mark L DeBardA moving and deserved tribute. Nice job, Gillian!
January 26, 2025
Louis LingGreg had a way of explaining that was short and snappy, crisp and memorable, sort of like him. Gillian has an eloquent way of capturing his essence and spirit. Also sort of like him. Thank you.
January 27, 2025
Lenard Kerr, DO, FAAEMA very amazing tribute!!!!
I will never forget attending one of his lectures during residency at Mt. Clemens’s General. He took the very dry topic of medical legal medicine and brought to the forefront of Emergency Medicine. Having discussions with him over the years at High Risk Emergency Medicine, ACEP, and numerous other conferences was always a highlight. I do not know what else can be said about Risk Management Monthly. I still use some of the first podcasts and teaching topics to residents that still hold true today. From RMM, several medical legal programs have grown keeping Emergency Medicine evolving through the legal quagmire future. And who, who can forget….. Wine of the Month.
He will be missed tremendously!!!
February 6, 2025
Joshua Solano, MDDr. Greg Henry with his style and wit was an incredible teacher of EM and life. I remember listening to his lectures on EMRAP and learning a lot of art of medicine from him. Thanks for this tribute.