It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing of the President of Avery Laboratories, Inc., William H. Dobelle, Ph.D., after a lengthy and debilitating illness.
Throughout his life, Dr. Dobelle sought to better the lives of his fellow man through implanted medical devices. He has served as Associate Director of the Institute of Biological Engineering at the University of Utah, the Director of the Division of Artificial Organs at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and is a founding fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
His pioneering research in intracochlear stimulation, the total artificial heart, and most notably artificial vision for the blind, has and will continue to benefit patients around the world.
Since Dr. Dobelle’s acquisition of Avery Laboratories in 1983, many patients with quadriplegia, central apnea, and other respiratory insufficiences have been helped to lead more normal, productive lives through implantation of an Avery diaphragm pacing system.
Although Dr. Dobelle’s day-to-day involvement in diaphragm pacing systems had been greatly curtailed in recent years, his hand-picked staff of highly qualified personnel remains committed to his dream of providing the finest products and service possible.
The employees of Avery Laboratories intend to carry on Dr. Dobelle’s tradition of excellence in the years ahead, and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you.
