Leading HIV expert Martin Fisher dies aged 50
Tributes have poured in today following news of the death of internationally respected HIV expert, Professor Martin Fisher.
Professor Fisher (pictured, at right), a consultant at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust, passed away on Tuesday, the Argus reports.
Fisher was instrumental in the development of the HIV department there since starting work in 1995, and was also chair of HIV medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
“Everyone who knew him is devastated by the news and our thoughts are with his partner, friends and family at this difficult time,” a spokesperson for BSUH said.
“We have notified his patients who we know will be equally sad.”
GScene Brighton reports that all staff and colleagues at BSUH this morning received the following message:
“It is with terrible sadness that we are writing to share the devastating news with you that our dear colleague and friend Professor Martin Fisher passed away unexpectedly last night. We know how hard this news will be for some of you to hear as it has been for us. Our thoughts are with his partner Adrian, close friends and colleagues in the Lawson Unit, Elton John unit and across the Trust as well as at the University. We know that his colleagues in the Lawson Unit have sent out a message to his patients who will be equally devastated.”
“In his hugely successful career he has worked with many of us and his influence and legacy will remain with us for years to come. Martin was so much more than a colleague to many of us and he will be missed very much.”
Martin was due to give two presentations at the British HIV Association Spring Conference (BHIVA) this week in Brighton. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Friends and colleagues have taken to social media to express their sadness at the news:
https://twitter.com/paulclift01/status/590509816583446528
Deeply sorry to hear of the death of Prof. Martin Fisher. He's saved so many lives, helped give people w/HIV hope of a future.
— Lisa Power 🏴☠️ (@alisapower) April 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/lyndashentall/status/590787399686475776