Remembering Renowned Cardiologist and Mentor Arthur J. Moss

Cardiologist Arthur J. Moss, M.D., who saved hundreds of thousands of lives and improved the standard of care for legions of people with heart disease, died on February 14, 2018, at age 86. Moss left an immense legacy over a six-decades-long research career that will carry on through the many students and scientists he mentored.

Over the past ten years, Moss mentored four UR CTSI trainees across several programs and a range of career stages. David Auerbach, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute at URMC, who was mentored by Moss for a UR CTSI KL2 Mentored Career Development project in 2015, shares his memories.

I first met Dr. Moss at a scientific meeting in 2004.  When he mispronounced my mentor’s name and no one tried to correct him, it was clear to me that he was highly regarded and respected in the field.

I quickly learned that he was a pioneer in cardiac arrhythmia research, having revolutionized arrhythmia therapies that saved or improved countless lives. More than 40 years ago, he had the foresight to create a registry of patients with an inherited cardiac disease. That registry has been an incredible resource for many researchers, including myself, allowing us to advance our understanding of this disease and improve patients’ lives. With Dr. Moss at URMC, I knew this was where I wanted to be. 

Late on a Friday afternoon, I sent him a letter expressing interest in research opportunities at URMC. His response, which arrived only a few hours later, introduced me to another aspect of what made Dr. Moss so amazing: his dedication to promoting the next generation of researchers. In his email he was already brainstorming projects that I could pursue and make my own.

Dr. Moss was my primary mentor on several research projects. He provided me with access to all of the great resources and expert personnel within Heart Research. We met frequently, and I always knew when I got an email at 10:30 PM, it was Dr. Moss with very thoughtful and insightful feedback. Most of all, he helped promote these projects not as his own, but as the work of his young investigator.

If asked who I would most want to dine with (alive or deceased), Dr. Moss will always be at the top of my list. He had a knack for including everyone at the table in interesting and diverse conversation.  I have had the privilege and pleasure to share several meals with Dr. Moss and I will always cherish the time he opened his home to me. We sat at his dining room table, enjoyed lunch, and talked science.

I celebrate all of the many memories and advice that Dr. Moss provided to me.

A memorial service will take place at Temple B'rith Kodesh on Elmwood Ave at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 18. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

Michael Hazard | 2/16/2018