Scholar, Teacher, Editor, Mentor, Colleague, Advocate, Friend
The testimonials below represent a sampling of the many tributes students, faculty and staff provided for this issue of HMPI. Will was also honored by The Rotman School’s virtual ceremony of remembrance on January 17, 2022 and with a fund to recognize his commitment to student support.
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Will was a gifted editor-in-chief of this journal. Whenever I referred someone to submit a paper, they would always thank me for referring them to Will, and for the tremendous contributions he inevitably made to their work. Kirsten Gallagher, BAHM’s managing director, loved to work with Will to put together the final pieces of HMPI issues with the papers that Will had thoughtfully edited. The 21-school membership of BAHM chose to honor Will’s memory in this issue of HMPI.
For me personally, Will was a friend and colleague. He was always open to new ideas, and always had thoughtful questions and suggestions that helped me to sharpen my focus and approach. We discussed the challenges of healthcare, and of health management education, endlessly it seems. He was really passionate about getting to core concepts that could move the field forward. He was really patient with me as we developed generic models of innovation strategies that could be applied in health care. He helped me to understand how to approach business as an academic discipline, and also how to make business insights from research accessible to a broader audience.
It’s hard to recall any one specific meeting during the 20 years I knew Will, because at every important moment of my business school faculty career, Will was there. Will’s passing is a big loss for our field, and he will be greatly missed.
— Kevin Schulman, Stanford University, and President, Business School Alliance for Health Management
I worked with Will, hand in glove these last 10 years, and just like a fish doesn’t know it’s in water, I hadn’t fully realized the void that would be created with his loss. It is immeasurable. Will was my partner in creating all that we do in healthcare and life-sciences at Rotman, always pushing us to do what might seem crazy (Will: “let’s see if we can get Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, to speak to our class of 30 students”). But more than an extreme ambition for our programs, was a deep commitment to our students. He was laser focused on increasing their impact, and making our programs accessible to students from across the globe. He was creative, caring and tireless. When I got the call that he had passed I was devastated, and as the numbness now passes, it is being replaced by Will’s forever-presence pushing us to do better. He leaves a tremendous legacy.
— Brian Golden, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
An incredibly talented and internationally sought-after strategist. A brilliant and passionate professor. A compassionate human being. I am so grateful to have known and learned from Will Mitchell.
— Peter Dean -GEMBA-HLS 2, Senior Director, Central Pharmacy Operations-Rexall-Ontario-Canada
I met Will at the BAHM Board and was intrigued by the seemingly tireless way he ran HMPI, even adding a special COVID edition! Indeed, COVID fostered virtual collaboration – I was honored to be invited in Jan 2021 on the Rotman Health MBA to talk about COVID in Europe, while later, Will related on COVID in North America to the IESE MBA health class. What a great experience! Will was such a great source of knowledge and inspiration. A collaboration to be just starting, so sad this will not be the case. We will miss him! My condolences go out to his family and the wonderful team at Rotman.
— Magda Rosenmöller, IESE Business School
Will was the best teacher I’ve ever had.
— Ben Scoggin, Duke MMCi Alum
It was an honor for MMCi faculty, students and staff that Will was part of our program at Duke. Will’s approach to teaching and learning was student centric, always focused on the student’s experience and growth. He traveled the world, consulting with business leaders and bringing those insights to the classroom. Will was thoughtful, insightful, and practical in his teaching.
Will was a favorite with staff as well. He was always concerned with how we were doing, especially during the pandemic, and would readily engage in discussions on how to make a great program better.
We will keep Will Mitchell in our hearts and thoughts as we go forward.
— Randy Sears, Program Operations Director, Duke MMCi
He was quite fantastic.
— Joshua Dooley, Duke MMCi Alum
Will was our Senior Fellow, and a key part of our team since he arrived at the Rotman School 10 years ago. I worked with Will almost daily, to plan and execute a whole range of projects to create a high quality experience for our students. Together we built the Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy into what it is today. We had a solid foundation before his arrival, but when Will came he brought his energy and generosity, which was contagious, and motivating, and things started to happen. Lots of things.
He believed in the vision of the Centre, and jumped into all aspects of what we were doing. He had an ambitious research agenda and he was fully committed to educating our future health system leaders. He understood the value of outreach, and creating opportunities for our students to connect with the broader healthcare and life sciences community.
He had a knack for bringing out the best in me, and those around him. He treated everyone equally. He was always there, wise, supportive, and encouraging.
A wonderful man. I know he is in a better place now. May he rest in peace.
— Rosemary Hannam, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
It was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with Will. Despite his experience and seniority, he was extremely accessible and would make you feel comfortable in any interaction. I will always remember him saying “the interesting things are happening in emerging economies,” which inspired me to continue doing my work in Latin America. I will miss him.
— Andrea M. Prado, INCAE Business School
Will was the person you could go to talk to about anything. He was someone who went beyond the academic sphere to guide you. You would forget that you were speaking to a giant in his field. When he spoke people listened, because he had our respect and admiration. He seemed immortal to us.
Which is why his loss has so deeply affected us all. We can only hope to have learned his lessons well. And carry forth the words Build, Borrow, Buy.”
— Mustafa Siddiqi, MD GEMBA-HLS 2 Ontario-Canada
Will always commanded your full attention, and he always gave you his. Working with him had a certain intensity – we were going to lay out our problems and work them out rigorously – and it was exhilarating. I felt we made enormous progress after each conversation. At the same time, he inspired a comradery and inclusiveness. The intensity was embedded within a feeling of warmth and kindness. That mix of complimentary feelings is very vivid as I think back now on our collaborations.
— Barak Richman, Duke University
I met and worked with Will in the last two years on the BAHM advisory board. And though knowing him for only a brief time, I was impacted by his drive, caring, candor, and professionalism.
As so many have noted, Will was tireless in his energy and drive to share ideas that could improve healthcare and to educate the next generation of health management leaders and scholars.
On one occasion, as the BAHM board discussed different speakers for virtual seminars, Will noted, “Let’s just do it. Let’s make it happen.” If the idea made sense and was good for the field, Will would not hesitate to act. He was equally as responsive as Editor-in Chief of HMPI. I remembered being astonished on how quickly Will assessed and replied to journal submissions.
But what impressed me the most about Will was how disarming he was in his interactions – whether in writing or in-person. There was no pretense, no stifling formality, no ceremony, just a genuine care and concern to do what was good and right for people and the field. I’m grateful for the brief time I worked with Will and am blessed and better to have known him.
— Forest Kim, Robbins Institute for Health Policy & Leadership, Baylor University
He was a force of nature and an all-around good guy. He will be greatly missed by the entire MMCi family.
— Steffany Whiting, Duke MMCi Alum
We sometimes hear the term, a scholar and a gentleman. But Will was just that – a scholar with commitment to the field and the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, an educator with commitment to students everywhere, and indeed a gentle and giving person, a gentleman in the truest sense. Will’s capacity for mentoring and professional development extended far beyond the borders of his own university and students. His insight and influence has touched countless lives.
Karoline and I and all of his colleagues at the University of Miami will sorely miss him. Thank you, Will, for all.
— Karoline Mortensen, Steven Ullmann and the University of Miami Department of Health Management and Policy
I have fond memories of Will and his love for teaching. I most appreciated his calm demeanor, curiosity, and willingness to dig deeper into interesting questions and problems.
— Allen Coleman, Duke MMCi Alum
Will had so many leadership positions, awards, and a CV a mile long, but also this: It didn’t matter who you were—if you had ideas, he was interested, and he wanted you to be a part of the field. I benefited from that curiosity first as a PhD applicant at Michigan and here as faculty at Rotman. So did so many others. He will be missed.
Anne Bowers, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Will had touched the lives of countless students as a faculty, a mentor and a friend. His commitment and compassion to his students is unparalleled. His imparting words of wisdom, sound advice and encouragement had carved a successful path for many of his students. Will was an incredible, admirable, and integral gift to our GEMBA-HLS program. His unique kindhearted, and calm demeanor had created a distinguishable safe environment for reflection during his sessions. He was a strong believer in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Despite the pandemic challenges, Will managed to remain genuine and unchanged in changing times. Personally, he taught me to question status quo, dream big and tap confidently towards uncertainty. I will never forget his smile when I told him that my consulting firm is named the “WILL” an acronym for Women’s Imaging & Leadership Lab. Since that time, he signed his emails to me with a disclaimer after his name: Will (with lower case spelling). Over the past two years I have learned a tremendous amount from Will about Health Strategy and about life. I look forward to applying what he taught me and make him proud, however, Will will always be missed.
— Rola Shaheen, MD, FRCPC, MBA, Chief and Medical Director of Radiology at Peterborough Regional Health Center, Ontario-Canada-GEMBA HLS 2
He was the best of us.
— Professor Buz Waitzkin, Duke University
In the short time I knew him, Will guided me across what seemed at first to be a chasm between public health and business. Will’s strong ethos and mission to make the world a better place, his humility, and his curiosity about the world, inspired me to find common ground between the two disciplines, and to open doors to opportunities and ways of thinking that I was not able to imagine before or have the courage to unlock myself.
Will taught us about having an impact. In altering the course of many students’ lives, his own impact on the world in the present and future is immeasurable.
— Tara Kessaram, Public Health Physician, GEMBA-HLS 2 -Class of 2021
What a terrible loss! Will was a wonderful colleague and a great human being. Early during the COVID epidemic I wrote a paper that was very critical of the public health response to the pandemic (lockdowns, etc.). I sent it to Will, among others, for feedback. Will’s was immdeiate: he said that though he did not agree with me, he would like to publish my paper in his journal. That, to me, epitomizes a great researcher – clear on his own viewpoint, yet humble enough to see the merit in the opposing ones, and recognizing the importance of having diverse opinions heard.
— Dmitry Krass, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
What a brilliant mind gone too soon.
— Kate Vanneman Scheidler, Duke MMCI Alum
Will’ was a connector. He brought together health leaders, policy makers, medical products makers, researchers, and academics. This is a rare skill in Canadian healthcare and his immense contributions, along with his smile and sense of humour, will be missed. RIP
— Melicent Lavers-Sailly, Director, Communications, Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement for Medtronic Canada
Beyond his influential scholarship, I like to remember his passion, sense of purpose, generosity, and love and care for the students. And, yes, his coolness. He was so very cool.
The academic community has lost a great scholar. The world has lost a wonderful person.
— Nico Lacetera, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
I am thrilled we were able to recognize Will with the Excellence in Teaching Award. But one thing was clear about Will: He seemed to be the type of professor who would never be satisfied after winning an award and would instead continue to strive to be the best teacher he could, engaging all students in the discussion.
— Gina Ciavarra, Duke MMCi Alum
Will Mitchell was one of the most impressive people I have ever met, in the sense that every interaction with him left an indelible impression. In terms of scholarly vision, generosity, and humility, he was just an outstanding person all around. What a devastating loss to the profession and to everyone who was fortunate to know him. He will leave a profound legacy of people in the profession who pass on the kindness and care for others that he modeled. He will certainly remain a model for me always in many ways.
— Aline Gatignon, The Wharton School
Dr. Will Mitchell’s legacy will remain – an exceptional educator, strategist and mentor who not only brought a wealth of knowledge and joy to every discussion but deeply inspired those around him. Dr. Mitchell’s genuine appreciation and consideration for the unique thoughts and perspectives of his students is a testament to the humility with which he embraced every interaction. Dr. Mitchell has left a lasting impact in the hearts and minds who will deeply miss his joyful spirit and who will continue to lead and serve in honor of his legacy.
— Patrick Thomas, Duke MMCi Alum