Jeffrey A. Kant, MD, PhD, my former fellowship director, passed away this morning. Jeff was truly a pioneer and a giant in the field of molecular pathology. While training with him, Jeff recognized and encouraged my interest in pathology informatics. Not only did he realize the importance of informatics to molecular pathology, he just believed in my abilities, just as he believed in the abilities all his fellows and trainees.
Jeff was genuine and impolitic. He had the uncanny ability to make me and others who trained with him feel smart and made them want to work harder at the same time. I saw him on a regular basis at professional meetings and any time we happened to be passing through each other's towns. I am so very, very grateful for the time I had with him, and words will never be able to express how much he meant to me or how sad I am now that he is gone. It has become clear over the last week that Jeff touched many lives besides my own, and my heart goes out to his family and all who had contact with him.
Jeff was genuine and impolitic. He had the uncanny ability to make me and others who trained with him feel smart and made them want to work harder at the same time. I saw him on a regular basis at professional meetings and any time we happened to be passing through each other's towns. I am so very, very grateful for the time I had with him, and words will never be able to express how much he meant to me or how sad I am now that he is gone. It has become clear over the last week that Jeff touched many lives besides my own, and my heart goes out to his family and all who had contact with him.
