Robyn J. Barst, MD

Abstract

Editor: Contributors to Robyn Barst’s obituary are to be congratulated for capturing her indomitable spirit. As one of the handful of doctors interested in pulmonary hypertension in the 1980s, it was a privilege to share my passion with Robyn. She, along with many other wonderful friends in the pulmonary hypertension community, became a soulmate with a shared passion to make a difference for those affected by “PPH.” Robyn and I often shared our thoughts on early morning walks at meetings. I remember well a conversation in which I told Robyn my common advice to my children: (1) find your talent, (2) find your passion, (3) work hard, and (4) give back to your community. In retrospect, Robyn’s life epitomized these principles. Robyn found and developed her talent as a master physician-scientist. Robyn found much to be passionate about—her patients, medical science, her wonderful family, her many colleagues and friends. Can there be any doubt that Robyn worked hard every working hour of every day, even in the face of her own terminal illness? Robyn gave back to her community when she established the Robyn J. Barst Pediatric PH Research and Mentoring Fund as part of her legacy to all of us. I hope readers will join me in honoring that legacy to continue Robyn’s work until children and their parents no longer know pulmonary arterial hypertension. “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson.1 Robyn J. Barst, MD, succeeded.