In memoriam to Professor Jean-Philippe Collet (2024)

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It is with extreme sadness that we pay tribute to Professor Jean-Philippe Collet, who passed away on the evening of 15 December 2023. Our comrade, a beloved colleague, a friend, and a mentor to many did not survive a cardiac arrest, a terrible situation he fought all his life for his patients.

He was a skilled interventional cardiologist, head of department at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Cardiology Institute, and co-founder of the Academic Research Organization ACTION-Coeur. He was also a kind-hearted man who was able to express both his certainties and his doubts on a medical decision. He was an incomparable clinician, an accomplished man, and above all a great humanist. He cared deeply for the people he worked with every day, who trusted him: his patients and his colleagues.

His humanism was recognized by all, because he had a gift for listening, for perceiving, for questioning, and for accompanying the answer with sympathy or even empathy if necessary. His simplicity made him approachable to everyone. His helpfulness evoked admiration. The most difficult thing in medicine is undoubtedly knowing how to address a patient and how to speak differently to each patient. The Medical School did not prepare for this, but Jean Philippe had this precious gift: natural simplicity and altruism. He knew how to have the right distance with each patient, the one that allows to move forward together. He was cut out for this job.

He had the modesty of a man of action knowing his limits. It was this humility that led young colleagues to appreciate him, imitate him, and even identify with him as a model for their future. Interventional cardiologist, working night and day, weekdays, and weekends, he took inner satisfaction from a job well done. He exposed to others what could be useful to them: an unusual situation, an unexpected image, an improbable complication, and a surprising technique, but never highlighted his own successes that had no educational value. He embodied medical excellence: the desire to transmit and the pleasure of working in a team.

He was a highly respected researcher, a master in clinical trials that changed daily practice over the past 30 years. Jean-Philippe Collet was an international reference at a very high level in cardiovascular research and he published in the field of thrombosis in cardiology in all major journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and the top-tier cardiology journals like the European Heart Journal. He was very closely involved in the life and work of the European Society of Cardiology, co-authoring or chairing many guidelines and consensus documents and giving lectures at the ESC Congress or at smaller local meetings. He was a major contributor to the French Society of Cardiology. He was a faithful reviewer for major journals including the journals of the European Heart Journal family. He was a hard worker and marathon runner of clinical research, and he recently published the 20-year follow-up of these young coronary patients who shocked us by the occurrence of a coronary event at less than 45 years old. He knew the seriousness of this disease that kills people in the prime of their lives.

He took the reins of the Cardiology Department in 2022, without complaining about the administrative responsibilities certainly not his favourites. But again, he did the job remarkably well, despite major staffing difficulties and daily emergencies that always outnumbered the beds available. His unwavering kindness, modesty, quiet strength, and approachability made Jean-Philippe much more than a colleague. With him, everything became possible and his kind smile reassured those who doubted. Faithful to his friends, to his values, and to his convictions, he could bring everyone on board with optimism, making life easier and more interesting for all.

Jean-Philippe left before us, much too soon, reminding us that down here, life is short. We are very happy to have shared part of his life. He had the art of cultivating friendship and good humour, and he made all these moments joyful and unique. We lost a great cardiologist, a colleague everybody wants on board, and a friend to many. The pain of the Cardiology Department at Pitié-Salpêtrière is immeasurable. The shock for the family is unimaginable. The untimely demise of Jean-Philippe is an irreparable loss to all of us personally, to Jean-Philipe’s family, and to the broader cardiology community. Our deepest condolences and solidarity are with Jean-Philipe’s wife Helen and his three children Antoine, Alexis, and Olivier.

Declarations

Disclosure of Interest

All authors declare no disclosure of interest for this contribution.

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology 2024.

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