August 11, 2006

Research center named in
Kistler's honor

As one of the world's leading physicians in the field of neurology and stroke prevention, J. Philip Kistler, MD, director emeritus of the MGH Stroke Service, has been recognized throughout his distinguished career. To pay tribute to Kistler's groundbreaking contributions and dedication to the MGH Neurology Service, a new clinical stroke research area located at 175 Cambridge St. has been dedicated as the The J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center.

To celebrate the center, an open house was held July 27. Kistler's friends and colleagues visited the unit and congratulated him for his many achievements. Kistler is known as an outstanding teacher, mentor and clinical expert. He has been a member of the MGH Neurology Service for 35 years and director of the Stroke Service for 26. He was part of a team of physicians and scientists who developed the first clinical MRI imaging project in the world. Along with Ferdinando Buonanno, MD, of the Stroke Center, Kistler and other colleagues were credited with first demonstrating the use of MRI imaging in diagnosing stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

Kistler was the principle investigator of the Boston-area anticoagulation trial for atrial fibrillation. That MGH-based, multicenter, National Institutes of Health-sponsored trial demonstrated the dramatic stroke preventative benefits of the drug warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation, which is responsible for 15 percent of all ischemic strokes.

"I am very grateful for this honor," said Kistler. "Most of all I am grateful to the MGH and Anne Young [MD, chief of the Neurology Service] for arranging for such a wonderful home for the fine, young, dedicated physicians in the Stroke Service."

For more information about the center, contact Walter J. Koroshetz, MD, director of the MGH Stroke Service, at (617) 726-8459.