He called Octo, my boss and asked to use some of my code in Paperchase. Realize that at that one literature search engines were not free. He gave me 400 hrs of Paperchase time for my contributions which I cherished. He was always a gentleman and he was always gracious. I remember him showing me around the center at the BI and he was both proud and humble at the same time. This past AMIA he came to one of my fellows talks and gave her a standing ovation, Jane Zhao. I took time to let her know what an honor that was coming from Warner. He will be missed. Peter
Recruiting Warner from the U of Wisconsin Hospital was among my most important achievements as Chairman of the Dept of Medicine at Beth Israel Hospital. He, of course, organized and directed our program in statistics and medicine and developed the use of computers for our department, resulting in an approach adopted by at least one other Harvard teaching hospital. Residents and medical students learned from him and from the very impressive colleagues that he recruited, nurtured and developed in his division. I was often told by colleagues in other medical schools and teaching hospitals how much they admired and benefited from the work of Warner and his colleagues. His pupils were not limited to the medical profession: a Brookline High School student who later became a journalist told me that 'Warner taught me how to ask questions.' When Don Berwick and I decided to give up teaching the course on the nation's health care problems and systems that we had organized for Harvard undergraduates, Warner took it on and ran it for several years. (The course continues and is still oversubscribed every year.) I can mention all of these things, but I cannot adequately describe how meaningful my personal relationship with Warner was to me. When I had a medical problem, Warner was there to ask how he could help. I cherished his friendship. The relationship with Warner led, of course, to a relationship with wonderful Caroline. How lucky I was and am.
Warner -- I had my preceptees over for dinner Wednesday night, and one of them asked how the Division of Clinical Computing got started, so I got to tell your story of the handwritten sign in the hallway (though not nearly as well as you tell it) and the lessons that it teaches about how to accomplish things! I'll get back in to see you soon... David
Warner you have been a dear friend for decades. The path you followed influenced mine at many crucial turns. You may or may not have known that Robert Schilling invited me to be staff at U of Wisconsin (Madison) to fill your big shoes. Because I had not finished my residency he agreed to let me finish it at U of Wisonsin.. There I met John Greist- a colleague of yours (and incidentally his sister is my hematologist now) . John suggested I visit Joe Mamlin at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis. He said the thought the place would be perfect for me.. It was.. Then you and Howard invited me to Boston between '75 and '77.- the first of many trips to visit your lab. I was very proud to be your guest. Also have very fond memories of the visits to explore being a member of your team at Brigham and woman's. Loved you guys-- still do. Will never know about the path not taken., but appreciated your confidence in me and treasured the time with you. Then you took over MD Computing and brought it to new heights. You have always been a warm and strong friend, and I have always appreciated that deeply Love you Clem
I remember Warner being annoyed with some paper we had written in the late 80s or early 90s (I don’t remember why now), and I was about to meet him in person and had my misgivings. What a warm reception I got from him, and what a warn reception I got every year I saw him at AMIA or elsewhere. He ended up certainly being one of my mentors on different levels. All these years, when I have thought of Warner, I just feel good, and I will continue to do so. A good soul.
Warner Slack was a very close and good friend. He was one of fewer than 15 full time faculty in medicine assembled by Howard Hiatt at the former Beth Israel Hospital in the late 1960s, and he interviewed me when I was applying to lead the new primary care efforts. Always a twinkle in his eye, ready to argue any point, focused, but also a fine listener and (to a degree) willing to compromise! As an example of his wonderful values, he and his long-term colleague, Howard Bleich, bridled at what they perceived as injustice, and that included the way medicine chose its trainees. Their studies were early in pointing out that we'd probably do just as well with a lottery... Warner's thoughts about 'patient power' affected much of my academic life. He was a great supporter of OpenNotes and our new adventure ( 'OurNotes') with patients and clinicians co-generating medical notes. What a wonderful man he was...such loss to the field and to many, many friends...
Warner Throughout the years I've known you, you have been such an inspiration to me. My latest grant using patient preferences in healthcare just got funded by the NLM. It focuses on data science as a tool for making care more patient-centered. In particular, the work helps physicians 'profile' patients based on patterns in their preferences and then seeks to predict what treatment makes persons of a given pattern happiest or most satisfied. The technology is adapted from Amazon and is something called a 'recommender system.' It is all built on the idea of allowing patients to tell each other what works. I am thinking of you. Warmest regards, Les
When I was a young assistant professor at Wisconsin, I began to collaborate with Warner, Harold Erdman and John Greist to develop a predictive analytic that interviewed patients complaining of suicidal thoughts, used a Bayesian model to predict whether they would make a serious attempt on their life. The model we developed back in the early 70s was a for-runner to predictive analytics now being created with big data and machine learning. Only 40 years ahead of our time. Like always Warner was far ahead of his time and so enjoyable to work with. I have missed him from the day he left Wisconsin and I miss him even more now.
Warner was a pioneer in our field but also a person of integrity. He helped those who sought his help. He and Caroline and Mary and I were friends at P&S before he wandered West. The LINC got to Wisconsin because NIH provided it and also training for the WU physiologist who brought it West. He too was a grand person who welcomed Warner and others to the world of small computers near real patients (or cats too if you studied them). I can easily believe Warner in departing felt proud of his accomplishments - as well as those of the whole field he created. Don Lindberg
Warner, you have always been the gentle visionary whose path encouraged many of us to go forth into informatics in a specifically patient-driven, patient-informed mode.
Dear Warner, I'm sorry to hear you are in the hospital but hope you are recovering and will return to work soon. The halls of BIDMC -- not to mention the world of informatics -- are not the same without you! Sending best wishes, Jan Walker
Anybody who has ever met Warner knows his heart. He is the most genuine, unpretentious and kind-hearted person I have ever met. Seeing him and listening to him has always been so inspiring and motivating to me. His deep sense of gratitude for the smallest of things and the warmest greetings no matter how many times you meet him during the day is admirable. I will never forget how he would always bring my cup of tea to my desk, which I would invariably forget in the kitchen and say, “Ruchira, I am sure this is yours. I wanted to personally give it to you before it got too cold.” Who does that, really? Warner, I am very fortunate to have worked with you and to have known you. I have always taken pride in introducing DCI to a new person with your name and credentials – saying that I work with Dr. Warner Slack who is one of the pioneers in the field of Clinical Informatics – thank you, Warner for making this field known to the masses. I respect you, Warner, from the bottom of my heart and am thinking of you each day and praying for your speedy recovery. Warmest regards, Ruchira
Dear Warner, There is no word to express my gratitude to consider myself a colleague and a friend of yours. You are one of the few people who have played a big role in my life when I first moved to US, and one of the fewer whose wisdom I still rely upon to guide me till this day. I still remember the days upon starting my career at DCI. I was sharing with Brad the office that was located a few inches away from yours. You never missed the occasion to step by the door and greet us... Literally any occasion, no matter the circumstances, being it a rainy day or a snowy one (and we had couple of those over the years; perhaps one of the reasons why I left Boston...) I also want you to know that I still deeply cherish the precious moments we spent conversing about everything and nothing, from medicine, history and french literature to Tunisian politics, the economy and health informatics. Your vision about healthcare, your humility towards knowledge, and your unique perception on progress as a mean to simply become a human being has deeply impacted me and is permanently guiding my career and life. I wish you dear friend a prompt recovery... we love you! Regards, Melek
Early in my career I read a paper called “Patient Computer Dialog” published on June 15, 1972, in the New England Journal of Medicine, by Warner V. Slack and Charles W. Slack. I was impressed not only by the innovation in that paper but also the humanity of putting the needs of patients first. I would later read many more inspiring papers from Warner and meet many people who were inspired by his wisdom, humanity, and friendship. Warner not only put patients first, I later found out he helps everyone. I was fortunate to meet him in person, and even more fortunate to come work in the division he founded. Countless people come to seek his wisdom and friendship. He always has a kind word and gentle way to support others. His many expressions, “Warnerisms”, a gold standard for how to be a great friend and mentor. One of my favorite Warnerisms is hearing Warner say “How can I help?”. I have heard him say that oh so many times with such great kindness and humility. Warner is the ultimate friend.
I first met Warner in 1976. At the time, he and Howard Bleich were starting to computerize the Beth Israel Hospital. He was kind and welcoming. Several years later during my residency, he and Howard published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on PaperChase, a program to search the Biomedial literature. It was about time for me to look for a job, so I contacted Warner and to my delight he was still welcoming. After a day following them at the hospital, they asked if I would be interested in joining them to work on a new project they called PatientChase. It has been my privilege and joy to work with Warner for the last 35 years. There are lots of stories I and you can share about Warner. I will start. You might know that Warner has come into work for the last decade. Warner is always available to counsel, help, support or console. What you probably don’t know is that Warner has a “bat signal.” My office is between Warner’s office and the coffee machine. He walks past my office at least 4 times each day to get coffee. When I need Warner, I close my door except for a 1 inch gap. Within minutes I hear a knock and the door opens and life is just better.
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Yesterday on my way to a rainy early afternoon movie “Won’t you be my neighbor?' I got a call I had been expecting but didn’t want. The caller ID said Warner Slack, and while it was possible he would be calling, I heard the voice of Charlie Slack. After writing a few emails, Donna and I went to the movie about Fred Rogers. I cried out loud throughout the movie, and it was not lost on me that Warner loved movies and he would have loved this film. Movies were a frequent topic of discussion for Warner. I thought Warner must have been the best neighbor any of us could have hoped for. A person who would and did help anyone. He made each one of us feel special. A friend wrote to me that the world is a little less wonderful without Warner and while I initially agreed, a day later I’m feeling that we are all blessed to be better neighbors because of Warner’s life.
Warner, We first met in 1976 when I came to the lab to interview for a programming position. I had just read an article in Psychology Today regarding experiments with computer assisted soliloquy conducted by you and your brother. I was intrigued by the article and was delighted when you hired me. Thus began forty years working together and with others to develop health promotion interactive programs and to study patient computer interaction. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with you, Warner and to have you as a dear friend. You possess the unique combination of intelligence, kindness, dedication, generosity, and humor. I learned so much from you, not only how to write interactive programs that are engaging as well as informative, but more importantly the best way to live one’s life. I am saddened by your illness and hope you can return home soon. With much love, Holly
Dear Warner, It has been a great honor and privilege to have worked with you since the earliest days of my career. Little did I know that when, as a new employee, I appropriated an office by putting my name on the door, that I was paying homage to you and the division's rich history! Back then I learned from you that 'the quality of the system was inversely proportional to the size of the manual'. In that spirit I always endeavored to make my programs intuitive and easy to use. Your teachings are the reason those systems have been adopted and you have met but a tiny fraction of the large number of thankful users. However the greatest lesson was not related to informatics. At all times, from the day I met you some 28 years ago until the present, no matter what the circumstances, I have never seen anything but the utmost in optimism, sincerity, gratitude and selflessness. You are the consummate professional role model, and all of us who have spent time with you have been greatly enriched by it. With the deepest of appreciation, --Larry
Warner, from our very first introduction more than 22 years ago I was in awe of the gentleman you are. Always kind, supportive and a willing teacher and mentor. As the very first nurse in your clinical informatics fellowship program you welcomed me with open arms had a profound influence on my career. Along with so many things, you taught me about patient empowerment in the world of clinical computing long before it became a buzz word. I am sorry to hear of your illness and the challenge you are facing. I wish you health and nothing but the best because truly that is what you deserve. warmest regards, Denise
Dear Warner, It's been an honor to have had the opportunity to work with you and to be mentored by you. Lessons I have learned from you on patient empowerment, and the need for computer/ technology to be helpful for patients and clinicians alike are principles I will carry with me throughout my professional career. Your kindness, open mindedness, and willingness of help everyone are values that I try to inculcate in me everyday. You are a great inspiration both for my personal and professional life, and want to thank you for being my mentor. With lots of love and warm regards, Adarsha