James LeVoy Sorenson, World-Renowned Medical Device Inventor,
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Dies at 86
Sorenson’s Career Legacy Includes a
Host of Innovative Medical Devices – the
First Disposable Surgical Masks, Catheters, Blood Recycling Systems and
Computer Systems for Real-Time Heart Monitoring; He is Survived by Wife
Beverley, Eight Children, 47 Grandchildren and 28
Great-Grandchildren
SALT LAKE CITY (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) January 20, 2008 --
James
LeVoy Sorenson, a globally prominent medical device inventor,
entrepreneur and philanthropist, died of cancer today, surrounded by his
family. He was 86.
Mr. Sorenson was born in Rexburg, Idaho in 1921 to Joseph LeVoy and Emma
Blaser Sorenson, and grew up in central California during the height of
the Great Depression. He overcame poverty and dyslexia to become one of
the world’s leading medical device inventors
and entrepreneurs.
Leaving behind a profound professional and personal legacy, the
inventions and companies Mr. Sorenson created have had a significant and
lasting impact on the development of numerous medical treatments and
procedures, and on the evolution of the life sciences industry sector –
particularly in the area of medical devices.
Mr. Sorenson’s pioneering medical innovations
became commonplace in operating rooms and intensive care units
throughout the world, and have spawned a host of products that have
improved or helped save the lives of millions of individuals. While he
is perhaps best known for co-developing the first real-time computerized
heart monitoring systems, Mr. Sorenson also invented pioneering
disposable surgical masks, non-invasive intravenous catheters, and
blood-recycling and -infusion systems. His prolific inventions garnered
more than 40 patents.
A dynamic entrepreneur and business leader, Mr. Sorenson founded and
co-founded companies that have been instrumental in the development of
the modern life sciences industry and resulted in the creation of tens
of thousands of quality jobs. Deseret Pharmaceuticals, which he
co-founded, became the foundation for the establishment of a major
division of Becton Dickinson. Sorenson
Research, founded by Mr. Sorenson and acquired by Abbott
in 1980, propelled the growth of Abbott Critical Care –
now part of Hospira, a
major global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company
created from Abbott’s core global hospital
products business.
Miles White, CEO of Abbott, has characterized Mr. Sorenson as “an
American original, who spent his legendary career developing innovations
that have greatly enhanced the quality of healthcare, and improved and
saved lives.
“Jim Sorenson is one of the world’s
most prolific and productive pioneers of medical devices. His inventions
had a monumental impact, and they’ve stood
the test of time,” said White. “Look
in any modern operating room or intensive care unit, and you’ll
see enduring evidence of Jim’s creative
solutions to tough medical problems.”
Mr. Sorenson’s influence extended far beyond
the medical devices arena. He established his place as a father of
modern genetic genealogy with the creation of organizations that are
driving the ongoing evolution of this emerging industry, while expanding
its capability and influence.
The non-profit Sorenson Molecular
Genealogy Foundation connects individuals and families throughout
the world and across generations by building the world’s
foremost collection of correlated genetic and family history
information, in more than 170 countries. The GeneTree
family history social networking site helps individuals discover and
connect with potential relatives throughout the world. Sorenson
Genomics, the world’s first laboratory
accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks for genetic
genealogy testing services, performs high-capacity testing services for
individuals, families and organizations globally. It provided
identification testing after the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, and performed the genetic testing
services for the acclaimed PBS series African American Lives. Sorenson
Forensics, founded in 2006, consists of a world-class team of
biological forensics testing and analysis professionals, assisting law
enforcement agencies and other organizations in solving advanced
forensic cases.
In addition to his medical device and genetics organizations, Mr.
Sorenson developed a vast real
estate empire that included many thousands of acres of commercial,
residential and agricultural properties.
One of the signature elements of Mr. Sorenson’s
legacy is the utilization of this wealth in diverse philanthropic
endeavors through the Sorenson
Legacy Foundation, including: numerous important healthcare
facilities and programs; community centers; places of worship for a
variety of religions; and educational efforts, including teacher
education programs, fine arts programs for children in public schools,
and curriculum and facilities for a leading deaf university.
Despite all of his accomplishments, Mr. Sorenson always maintained that
his greatest legacy is the family that survives him: his wife, Beverley
Taylor Sorenson; their two sons and six daughters; 47 grandchildren; and
28 great-grandchildren. “My family is my
greatest treasure, and my greatest achievement and contribution in this
life,” he said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Huntsman Cancer
Foundation (www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org),
Utah Youth Village (www.youthvillage.org),
the Deseret Foundation (www.intermountainhealthcare.org/xp/public/lds/deseret/)
or the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (www.lds.org/pef).
MULTIMEDIA GALLERY http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5589042
See the original story at: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/sorenson/medical/prweb640081.htm
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