In Memoriam: John Howard Yardley

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is with profound regret that I announce the death of our revered associate, John Howard Yardley, University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Pathology. John died yesterday at age of 85 after a long illness.

A graduate of the medical school in 1953, John launched his career here the following year as an assistant resident in pathology. From 1988 until 1992, John concurrently served as Baxley Professor and Pathologist-in-Chief with John K. Boitnott. He was associate dean for academic affairs from 1977 until 1984 and director of the Department of Pathology from 1988 until 1992. Decades ago, he established a fellowship program to promote the research activities and clinical training of promising pathologists pursuing advanced training in the field of gastrointestinal disease. Then, in 1999, it was endowed and the John H. Yardley Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Pathology was launched in his honor.

For more than 50 years, John devoted his energies to research, patient care and teaching. One of the founding fathers of the field of gastrointestinal pathology, he made groundbreaking observations on Whipple’s disease of the gastrointestinal tract and helped define the current classification system for neoplastic dysplasia in the colon and esophagus.

John “had a wonderfully avuncular style of leadership,” says faculty member Ralph Hruban of the man who hired him. “Supportive and low-key, he diffused problems before they even began. He was a gifted teacher and supportive mentor, admired and emulated by his trainees.”

Arrangements for a memorial service have not been finalized. Please join me in extending condolences to John’s wife, Eritha, and their children, William, Madeleine and Elizabeth (SOM ’85).

Sincerely,

Edward D. Miller, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine