Comunicado de WONCA 12 junio 2011/Barbara Starfield



World Organization of Family Doctors 
7500A Beach Road, #12-303 The Plaza, Singapore 199591 
Tel: 65 6224 2886  Fax: 65  6324 2029   Email: admin@wonca.com.sg    
Web: www.globalfamilydoctor.com 
  
The news of the sudden death of Professor Barbara Starfield, apparently due to a coronary 
event while swimming at her California home on Friday, 10 June 2011, came as a shock.  Her 
passing is an irreplaceable loss for those of us in the global community who care deeply about health care and equity.    

A pediatrician by training, health services researcher by trade, and natural teacher by talent, 
Dr. Starfield was University Distinguished Service Professor at the Johns Hopkins University 
Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine, as well as Director of its 
Primary Care Policy Center.  She spent more than 50 years at Johns Hopkins. 

Barbara was a tireless advocate for family medicine and primary care.  She reminded us of 
why we chose to become family doctors – to help people, improve health, and make the 
world a better and fairer place.    

Using detailed data and compelling analysis, she taught us things about ourselves that we 
believed, but did not know for certain.  She opened the eyes of family doctors to the 
considerable abilities we have, the weighty responsibilities we carry, and the unrealized 
possibilities we represent.  She saw family doctors as the best hope for health care.  Many 
times, she challenged our vision of what family medicine should look like, and nudged us to 
see further and clearer.  

Barbara had an amazing zest for life, traveling constantly around the globe to share ideas, 
nurture young professionals, and push leaders to do better.  A typical day for her could 
include a meeting with a Health Minister, a tutorial with students, a speech to thousands, 
completion of yet another manuscript, and an idea for a new tool to further prove the value of 
primary care.  She will be remembered for her passion for social justice, incisive intelligence, 
and incredible energy.   

Great people have an extraordinary vitality, which makes them seem immortal and lulls us 
into thinking we will have them forever.  And then they are gone.  The best tribute we can 
offer Barbara is to continue to work toward her vision of a world in which everyone has 
access to quality health care centered in a trusted relationship with a compassionate, 
competent, and comprehensive family doctor. 

We have lost a giant intellect, a generous colleague, and a good friend.  Our deepest 
sympathies go out to her husband Tony, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and extended family. 

Richard Roberts, MD, JD 
President, 2010-2013 
World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca)  
12 June 2011 

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