WALTER J. DALY, MD

Walter J. Daly, MD, former chair of the Department of Medicine and the seventh dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), passed away on April 6, 2024, at the age of 94. A visionary leader, distinguished educator, and passionate historian, Dr. Daly left an enduring legacy in medical education, research, and scholarship.

Born on January 12, 1930, in Michigan City, Indiana, Walter J. Daly grew up in Muncie, Indiana, where he graduated from Burris High School. He earned his BA in 1951 and his MD in 1955 from Indiana University (IU), establishing a lifelong connection with the institution that would define much of his professional career. After serving in the U.S. Army, he joined the IUSM faculty in 1962, attaining full professorship in 1968. He served as chair of the Department of Medicine from 1970 to 1983 before his appointment as dean, a role he held until his retirement in 1995 (1).

Dr. Daly’s tenure as dean was marked by a commitment to expanding research, clinical training, and medical education. Under his leadership, the Medical Research and Library Building was completed in 1989, which led to the enhancing of interdisciplinary collaboration and the fostering of innovation in fields such as medical genetics and cardiology. He played a pivotal role in the merger that formed Clarian Health Partners (now IU Health), strengthening medical services across Indiana. His efforts significantly increased National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding at IUSM, which grew from $17 million in 1983 to $73 million by 1993 (2).

A highly regarded educator, Dr. Daly was known for his engaging teaching style and deep appreciation for problem solving in medicine. His mentorship extended beyond the classroom, influencing generations of physicians. Among those he mentored was Dr. David Crabb, a past American Clinical and Climatological Association (ACCA) member and former chair of the Department of Medicine at IUSM. Dr. Crabb recalled that Dr. Daly was a consummate morning report leader, full of memorable anecdotes. One such story involved his observation that bats develop tuberculosis in the bases of their lungs due to gravitational effects on alveolar aeration. Over coffee, Dr. Daly often discussed medical history and admired historical figures such as Winston Churchill. He also had a fascination with historical diseases, including milk sickness, the illness that led to the death of Abraham Lincoln’s mother. Dr. Daly’s scholarly curiosity led him to publish an essay on the topic (3).

Dr. Daly’s love of medical history extended to his postretirement research and writing. He translated medieval medical texts from Latin, uncovering historical treatments, including a medieval cure for conjunctivitis involving the urine of a virgin boy. As Dr. Crabb humorously recalled, he once questioned, “Are you sure you translated that correctly?” Dr. Daly’s meticulous scholarship provided valuable insights into the evolution of medical knowledge (4).

Dr. John F. Williams, Jr., emeritus professor of Medicine at IUSM, shared his reflections on Dr. Daly’s impact and friendship: “Walter and I were junior faculty members and friends in the Department of Medicine. After I returned to the department after 15 years at UTMB in Galveston, Walter was the dean, and we renewed our friendship. Walter asked me to become the CEO of Wishard Hospital and associate dean of the school, which I did until my retirement in 1998. Walter graduated first in his medical school class and was a true intellectual. He had a major interest in the history of the medical school and wrote several publications on the subject. As chairman of the Department of Medicine, Walter devoted a great deal of his time and energy to the education of the medicine house staff. As dean, that shifted to the education of the medical students, which was exceptional. To honor Walter for his educational efforts, I chaired a group to establish the Walter Daly Learning Center. Needless to say, we had no trouble raising the funds. Walter was a true friend and a wonderful role model for anyone in medicine. I miss him” (5).

Beyond his scholarly contributions, Dr. Daly played an instrumental role in medical philanthropy and established IUSM’s first capital campaign, which ultimately raised $210 million. He was widely recognized for his leadership and received the Otis R. Bowen Gold Medal in 1996, an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1998, and the Indiana University Bicentennial Medal in 2020 (6).

Dr. Daly was a longtime member of the ACCA, the American College of Physicians (ACP of which he was elected master), the American Medical Association, and the Association of American Physicians. In retirement, he remained active in the John Shaw Billings History of Medicine Society and published extensively on historical medical topics (6).

Dr. Daly was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Joan Brown Daly. He is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren. His impact on medicine, medical education, and history will endure through the generations of physicians and scholars he mentored, the institutions he strengthened, and the historical insights he brought to light.

David M. Aronoff, MD