In Memory of Dr. Brian McIver
It is with great sorrow that we note the passing of a luminary in the field of thyroidology, Dr. Bryan McIver.
Born in Dunfermline, Scotland Bryan went to medical school in Edinburgh and trained further at the Mayo clinic. Mayo saw the star that Bryan was and so he was asked to join their faculty. He was subsequently recruited by Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida where he excelled in a variety of high level administrative and medical leadership roles. Bryan looked forward with great enthusiasm to his next challenge as Chief Medical Officer for Prisma Health Medical Group and faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
Bryan’s unique abilities have allowed him a wide range of contributions in a variety of organizations not typical for any one individual. He has had major contributions to the World Congress on Thyroid Cancer (where he served on the Executive Committee and the Board), the American Thyroid Association and the International Thyroid Oncology Group. His wisdom was remarkable, and his counsel was sought after in all these organizations. He also excelled at mentorship serving a generation of trainees and as a master educator. His lectures on molecular diagnostics for thyroid nodularity were renown and among the highest rated presentations within the World Congress on Thyroid Cancer year after year. Bryan helped to create the field of Endocrine Oncology through his pioneering leadership and focus on education and mentoring.
Bryan loved life, was a skilled pilot and enjoyed being with others celebrating, perhaps with Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic. If Bryan had one essential core value – and he had many – the song which he sang strongest was for education for the betterment of those around him and advocacy for excellence in patient care. This was Bryan’s anthem. His memory will be a blessing.
“… a few light taps upon the window pane made him turn to the window… The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward. Yes, the newspapers were right snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the bog of Alan and farther westwood falling softly into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling too upon every part of the churchyard on the hill where Michael Fury lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and the headstones of the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling like the descent of their last end upon all the living and the dead.”
James Joyce The Dubliners Barnes and Nobel NY 1992
Donations can be made in Bryan’s memory to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association.
