Massachusetts General Hospital recently celebrated the life of W. Gerald “Jerry” Austen, MD — a renowned cardiac surgeon and the hospital’s former chief of surgical services — on Sunday, May 6, 2023, at Boston Symphony Hall.
Dr. Austen passed away at Mass General — his second home — at the age of 92 on Sunday, September 11, 2022, due to complications from metastatic melanoma. Even during his final moments, his sense of humor radiated, jokingly telling family that he thought it was “finally time to retire.”
For 70 years, Dr. Austen was part of the Mass General community, having completed his residency at the hospital and continuing to become one of the most distinguished and well-regarded physicians in the hospital’s more than 200-year history. At 39 years old, he was named Mass General’s chief of surgical services — a position he held for nearly 29 years. Under his leadership, the Department of Surgery became one of the greatest academic departments of surgery in the country. Among his many contributions, he was influential in the design and creation of a cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) bypass machine and the intra-aortic balloon pump. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Austen was also a physician leader of philanthropy whose commitment to and passion for Mass General shined bright and were crucial to hospital’s success.
Hundreds of Dr. Austen’s closest friends, colleagues and family members gathered at Boston Symphony Hall to commemorate his legacy. A variety of speakers — from current Mass General President David F. M. Brown, MD, to former hospital President Peter Slavin, MD, and retired Chairman, President and CEO of Abiomed Mike Minogue — shared fond memories of Dr. Austen, further illustrating his unmatched and lasting impact on others.
Special musical performances were coordinated by Austen family friend, Kim Taylor, including a surprise performance by Kim, her husband and Grammy Award winner James Taylor and their son Henry.
Celebration was the theme of the afternoon, as everyone reminisced about how much Dr. Austen meant to them, both personally and professionally. Aside from being a beloved physician to his patients, the “Austen” name is synonymous with Mass General. You see it adorned on the side of buildings and above corridor entryways — a welcoming reminder for anyone who enters these spaces that they are in safe hands.
Dr. Austen and his family, especially Patty, his wife of more than 60 years, have been committed philanthropists to the community and instrumental in some of the hospital’s most important efforts, including the creation of the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History.
In a statement to Mass General staff, Dr. Brown and Marcela del Carmen, MD, MPH, president of Massachusetts General Physicians Organization and executive vice president of Mass General Brigham, said:
“It seems fitting that W. Gerald “Jerry” Austen, MD, dedicated his life’s work to one of the most vital organs — the heart. For when we reflect upon Dr. Austen’s nearly seven decades of exceptional service to Mass General, we recognize and celebrate how he himself has been the heart of [Mass General] — through his immense contributions to the field of cardiac surgery, his unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of his patients, his steadfast commitment to training and supporting the next generation of clinicians and his deep support and love for each and every MGHer.”
The Mass General community will continue to mourn the loss of such a giant in the medical world and will carry on Dr. Austen’s legacy through compassionate care and an unparalleled commitment to all patients.
To view a recording of the Celebration of Life service held on May 6, click here.
