November 13, 1998

Dennis Thomson, vice president for Public Affairs at BWH, died Nov. 10 after a battle against cancer. He was 49.

Thomson joined BWH in 1991 following a distinguished career in state government. In 1994, when BWH joined with the MGH to form Partners HealthCare System, Thomson was integral in developing a multi-faceted communication strategy that helped keep internal and external audiences informed about the progress of the affiliation.

"Dennis was the epitome of a communications professional – skilled, gracious, forthright and sensitive," says Jeffrey Otten, president of BWH. "He was generous to his coworkers, admired and liked by people at all levels of the organization and throughout Partners, and he inspired excellence in everyone he touched."

According to colleagues at the MGH and Partners, Thomson was a true champion of the Partners system. "Dennis was an exceptional colleague," says Allen Peckham, chief development officer for Partners. "He defined teamwork, professionalism and character. We have lost a great friend."