Dr. William M. Feinberg, a professor of neurology at the University of Arizona, was one of the world's leaders in stroke research. His contributions ranged from greater understanding of stroke mechanisms to the role of coagulation marker proteins in stroke, as well as clinical treatment and stroke prevention.

In 1996, Dr. Feinberg founded the first comprehensive stroke program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The program fostered basic science research—a means for translating scientific findings into clinical research—and gave patients access to the latest treatments for stroke.

Unfortunately, Dr. Feinberg passed away before he could see the full realization of the stroke program. He died in 1997 at the age of 45.

“The untimely death of Bill Feinberg at an early age was a personal tragedy for us but also a great loss to the world,” says his father, Milton Feinberg, MD. “Bill devoted the major portion of his professional life to develop methods to better the prevention and treatment of stroke and had made significant advances in this field.”

With support from Dr. William Feinberg's patients, colleagues, and friends, his family established an endowed chair in his name to further his vision of effectively treating and preventing stroke.

“This chair is a wonderful way to honor Bill, show how much he was loved, and let his work continue, and we know this is exactly what he would want,” his brother, Lawrence Feinberg, says.

The Chair serves as a legacy for a dedicated researcher to continue stroke research at the University of Arizona.

“Ultimately, this endowed chair is a testament and a commitment to improve the health and well-being of people who have suffered a stroke,” says Bruce M. Coull, MD, head of neurology at the UA. Dr. adds that “the establishment of the William M. Feinberg, MD, Endowed Chair in Stroke Research will allow others to continue working on this subject, which will be a contribution of Bill Feinberg in this field even after his death.”

Dr. William Feinberg graduated from Stanford University Phi Beta Kappa and received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He moved to Arizona in 1978 and completed residencies in internal medicine and neurology at the University of Arizona. Following a fellowship in cerebral blood flow and metabolism at Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to Arizona in 1985 as an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology. His promotion to full professor in April 1997, just months before his death.

Dr. Feinberg published more than 100 original manuscripts and book chapters, nearly all focused on stroke-related research. He lectured widely and was invited to give presentations all over the world. He was actively involved in several local and national professional organizations concerned with stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

“Bill Feinberg was a compassionate, caring man who approached life with humor, curiosity and intellect,” his wife, Lois Loescher, noted. “Despite his numerous professional achievements, he is remembered by most people as a great husband, father and friend.”

Sid Morse, a member of the Sarver Heart Center Advisory Board and a volunteer fundraiser for stroke research, adds “This chair is a memorial to a great guy and brilliant scientist. It should have been set up 40 years from now.”

“Our lives are personally and professionally better because Bill Feinberg lived and worked with us,” Dr. Coull says. “We are grateful to the Feinberg family and to the many friends, colleagues and grateful patients who are building this lasting memorial.”