To Doctor Joseph L. Blackshear

Successively
Consultant in Cardiovascular Disease
On the Staff of Mayo Clinic
and
Professor of Medicine
In the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
In recognition of his attaining emeritus status
after 35 years of service among them

His colleagues present this token of their esteem and of their gratitude for recognition as an expert in atrial fibrillation, valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and von Willebrand’s Syndrome; for superb care of patients, recognized formally by the Distinguished Clinician Award and informally as “the Doctor’s Doctor”; for teaching at bedside and podium, and research mentoring of learners from high school students to postdoctoral trainees and fellow staff members; for administrative service as Chair of the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory; for his calm demeanor at times of stress and dry sense of humor; for his profound impact to reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation via national leadership of the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation trials, establishment of the Anticoagulation Clinic, and pioneering work to close the left atrial appendage; and for his love and devotion to his wife Debbie and 3 children, successfully managing work-life balance to which all can aspire; and for his steadfast loyalty to that living body of high principles that were initiated by the Founders, William James Mayo, M.D. and Charles Horace Mayo, M.D., and that now clearly are recognized as the ideals of Mayo Clinic.