In memoriam: Ward A. Olsen, MD
Ward Olsen, MD, professor emeritus of medicine, former chief of what was then known as the Section of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans' Hospital, died on September 24, 2023, at the age of 89.
Dr. Olsen joined the department in July 1972 and remained on our faculty until his retirement in July 2000.
He earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and completed his medicine residency and a chief residency on the Harvard Medical Service at Boston City Hospital.
Before joining the UW faculty, Dr. Olsen was a postdoctoral fellow in gastroenterology at Boston University. His mentor, Franz Ingelfinger, MD, was a premier leader in gastroenterology and editor of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Olsen’s research focused on understanding the mechanisms of indigestion of dietary sugars. He identified and established the biochemical regulation of intestinal lactase and function and relationship to lactose metabolism.
A well-respected investigator, Dr. Olsen had long-term extramural funding and made valuable contributions to understanding small bowel physiology. He was also a mentor to many gastroenterology fellows.
Dr. Olsen was also part of a Department of Medicine cross-country skiing group who participated in numerous American Birkebeiner 55-kilometer races in Telemark, Wisconsin.
“Ward was an integral and inaugural member of this group, which enjoyed training together and friendly competition,” reflects long-time colleague and friend William Busse, MD, professor emeritus, Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. “He applied the same precision, commitment, and collegiality to cross-country skiing as he did to his research.”
For his significant contributions to our missions—especially research and mentoring—and for his friendship, Dr. Olsen will be fondly remembered and appreciated.