The Society mourns the loss of Patrick Dunavan, an award-winning editor-producer-director and spouse of 2008 ASTMH President Claire Panosian Dunavan, MD, DTM&H, FASTMH. In 2007, Mr. Dunavan created
a documentary about Karl M. Johnson, MD, an American virologist credited with naming the Ebola virus, who also held key positions in ASTMH.
Two former Presidents of ASTMH, Barnett L. Cline, MD, PhD, MPH, FASTMH, and Thomas Monath, MD, FASTMH, offer tributes to Mr. Dunavan below.
More about his life and career appear in
a lengthier and fascinating account posted on Facebook by USC journalism professor Joe Saltzman, a longtime friend and colleague who offers many "inside" industry details and additional photos in his own tribute.
1994 President Barnett L. Cline, MD, PhD, MPH, FASTMH
When I think of Patrick Dunavan, the word “giving” comes to me, because it was Patrick’s nature to give of himself.
Two examples spring to mind, the first from 2007 after retirement took Nancy and me to Blanco, Texas, close to my hometown of San Antonio. With newfound leisure, I volunteered to lead an Oral History Project for our local library which wanted to interview and film selected residents of our community to preserve the past for future generations. But because of my own inexperience as a videographer, I sought Patrick’s advice figuring that—as an award-winning filmmaker—he could at least make some suggestions. Instead, after patiently absorbing my dilemma, his response almost knocked me off my feet: “How about I come out and help you?” he asked.
And so Patrick came (later followed by Claire) with a video camera and other equipment, and a budding friendship soon grew by leaps and bounds. At the same time, Patrick greatly helped the project succeed by using his skills to launch something he believed in.
Fast-forward to earlier this year. By now, Patrick was gravely ill and at home with Claire receiving hospice care. One day, after Claire and I visited on the phone, she asked, “Would you like to speak with Patrick?” "Yes," I immediately replied, but deep down I was worried. What could I say to console him as he faced death? Patrick quickly dispelled my concerns. We spoke for a long time, and, in the end, it was I who was lifted and comforted by his final gift—my own peace of mind.
2005 President Thomas Monath, MD, FASTMH
Although I was tremendously saddened to learn of Patrick Dunavan’s passing, it gave me a chance to reflect. First, on how he influenced my life and, more broadly, on how much the world will miss this impassioned, talented man. Patrick was already a noted documentary filmmaker when I first met him through his wife, Claire Panosian, a leader in our Society. Then, when Patrick agreed to make
a film focusing on Karl Johnson’s career as a virus hunter, he won my heart, since Karl was my most influential mentor, a great friend and fishing buddy, and a masterful scientist who embodied a genius I longed to emulate.
Patrick clearly knew a good story when he saw it, because he not only captured Karl the man and his motivations, but the details and wider implications of the diseases he studied and fought. Patrick then wove those elements together into visual art. Through this one example from a career filled with achievements, I came to understand not just Patrick’s gift for bringing to life stories like the one about Karl and Ebola, but his humor and intellect; his calm, professional expertise, and his deep humanity.