UW leader in infectious disease passes away
MADISON — Dr. William A. Craig, who founded the division of infectious disease within the department of medicine at the School of Medicine and Public Health, passed away March 11 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Craig was renowned as a clinician-scholar in the fields of antimicrobial therapy and infectious disease. His early work on quantifying the relationship between antimicrobial dosing and treatment effect led to the development of the field of antimicrobial pharmacodynamics. These advances also laid the foundation for developing dozens of new antibiotics, and he had a personal hand in the preclinical research of most antibiotics that have come to market in the last four decades. As clinicians worldwide adopted and applied his ideas, there was a profound reduction in deaths due to bacterial sepsis.
He received his medical training at Tufts Medical School (1965), followed by an internal medicine residency and infectious-diseases fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. Craig also served in the U.S. Army as a preventive medicine officer (1967-70). He became a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1973 to establish the infectious-disease division and held a dual appointment with the School of Pharmacy from 1981 until 1995. In 2005, Craig was appointed emeritus professor of medicine.
He served as chief of infectious diseases and associate chief of staff for education at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, as well as program director for the University of Wisconsin Internal Medicine Residency program. As a deeply dedicated clinician and educator, he cared for patients and trained infectious-disease fellows throughout his career, including the weeks preceding his death. His national and international service included founding and serving as president of the International Society for Anti-infective Pharmacology, editor for the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, chair of the Food and Drug Administration Anti-infective Advisory Committee, and chair of the program committees for both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society of Microbiology.
Dr. Robert Golden, dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, said, “Dr. Craig was a truly remarkable physician, academician, and person. He exemplified the very best qualities of our profession, including total dedication to his patients. His scientific prowess was exceeded only by his absolute commitment to his mentees. But most of all, we will remember Bill’s warmth, compassion, and generous spirit.”
Dr. David Andes, head of infectious disease, said, “Perhaps Dr. Craig’s most enduring legacy will be the remarkable impact he had on the large number of trainees who were privileged to learn from him. He inspired a passion for investigation and demonstrated an unwavering support of independent work by his trainees. He humbly viewed his student’s success as his own.”
Dr. Richard Page, George R. and Elaine Love Professor and chair of the department of medicine, said, “Over 43 years on our faculty, Dr. Craig touched innumerable lives of patients and their families, as well as students, residents, fellows and faculty. Our department is fortunate to have counted him as a mentor, colleague and friend.”
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18, at 6 pm at First Baptist Church in Madison. Gifts to support infectious-disease research may be sent to the Pioneers in Infectious Disease Endowment Fund: University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Ave., Madison WI 53726-4090. Gift may also be made online. <http://supportuw.org/giveto/
