Remembering Past President Ido Weinberg,MD,MSc,MHA,FSVM (1976–2026)

Michael Jaff, DO, MSVM; Past President (2003–2005)

I first met Ido at the door of VasCore, the core laboratory that I founded and had moved from New York to Boston. I can’t recall how he found me, but he told me that he was an internal medicine resident from Israel looking to gain fellowship training in vascular medicine. I immediately took a liking to this curious, humorous, confident yet humble young man. As Ido began his fellowship, it was clear to me that I had stumbled across an outstanding talent who not only needed to stay at Mass General but would ultimately become my ‘succession plan,’ as Medical Director of VasCore. I traveled with Ido and his family. My children were enthralled with his children. We celebrated many Jewish holidays together. The loss I feel—that my entire family feels—is deep and I am hollow. I loved Ido and will always feel more enriched in my life having known him.

Mark A Creager, MD, MSVM; Past President of SVM (1993–1995)

Ido was an energetic, passionate, and skilled member of the vascular medicine community. I had the privilege of mentoring and then engaging Ido as a friend and colleague. Coincidentally, I first met Ido when my wife and I traveled to Israel during my son’s high school study abroad semester at Kibbutz Tzuba near Jerusalem in 2009. Ido was a physician for the kibbutz. By that time, he was already planning to train in vascular medicine under the tutelage of Michael Jaff at Massachusetts General Hospital. Ido was so kind and giving. My wife and I had a wonderful experience touring Jerusalem with him, learning firsthand about its history and contemporary culture. I convinced him to spend some time during his training with my colleagues and me at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which he did. What a treat! Ido demonstrated the thoughtful, knowledgeable, and compassionate approach to patient care and in his interactions with team members that exemplified his professional career. I was so proud to witness his successes, and particularly his selection as President of the SVM. The word in Yiddish is ‘kvel.’ Ido, you are deeply missed. Your memory will be cherished.

Robert Schainfeld, DO, MSVM

Prior to meeting Ido in person, I was introduced to him via my dear friend, Michael Jaff. As has been reinforced over many years: when Michael speaks, I listen with a vigilant ear. I heard absolutely rave reviews about this Israeli internal medicine physician in Jerusalem, interested in pursuing formal training in vascular medicine. Michael’s accolades on Ido’s behalf sealed the deal when he guaranteed I would love Ido . . . and 15 years later, his prediction will last an eternity—I adore Ido.

As difficult as his recent passing has been for me to reconcile, I’ve been afforded the luxury of witnessing firsthand, and through sundry of social media sources, the outpouring of affection, condolences, and, most compellingly, the anecdotes and stories from people who knew or had met Ido, shared for all to savor the fond memories rejoicing his life.

From day one, and at the start of any day until the next morning, Ido lived with his pedal to the metal—balanced only, to the best of his tenacity, by family and children, who were his foremost priority. That commitment was rivaled at times only by his fitness regimens (triathlons, Ironman, marathons, swims, and hikes).

As we explored new territory in our evolving friendship, I began to see the complexity of Ido as a multitude of layers, perhaps akin to an onion; as each was peeled back, it disclosed a phenomenal wealth of knowledge that he felt comfortable to divulge, making him at times appear almost superhuman. I believe his ambition for success and notoriety professionally was sincere, driven by altruism and the belief his endeavors would, in some impactful way, pay dividends for patients and their well-being.

What I will miss most is Ido’s smile and ‘swag’ when he entered a room, and if you waited a moment, the contagious, irrefutable laugh would follow. Then be prepared for a story or three about the most trivial mundane activity he shared with Alma and Daniel. With these he had your attention captured. As I reflect on my last memories of Ido and our years together, a few personalities come to mind: he had Clint Eastwood’s swag, the unpredictable behavior of Jack Nicholson, and at times, Jim Carrey’s force of nature humor.

Ido will forever be remembered and cherished in my heart. I have lost a brother, but my plea to all his ‘minions of life’: let’s keep his memory and legacy alive for perpetuity.

Mitchell D Weinberg, MD, FSVM

We met by chance during fellowship—surprised to share the same last name—but when we ended up seated next to each other in the fellows’ room at MGH, it felt predetermined. His drive was unparalleled. He approached everything with rigor: research, clinical care, slide design, refining his English idioms, leadership. Yet he was always, without fail, true to himself and the people he cared about. He craved experiences intensely—scouting the best sites for his kids at every conference city. And sushi was our thing: at every meeting, we’d seek out the finest spot in town, always trying to top the last. Watching him try a new sushi dish was a blast—so openly enthralled that other diners would look over. That was Ido: fully committed, passionately present, out there for the world to see. He brought that energy to vascular medicine, never seeking the spotlight, but making everyone around him work harder, dream bigger, and love what they do. His sudden passing has left a void I carry daily. His impact on my career, my outlook, and my appreciation for life will never leave me.

Raghu Kolluri, MD, MSVM; Past President of SVM (2019–2021)

When I first met Ido, I asked whether he was a vascular medicine physician or a peripheral interventionalist. In a clearly tongue-in-cheek moment (and with a grin), he said: ‘I am vascular medicine—pure as they come.’ Over the years, I came to know him better and had the privilege of witnessing his meteoric rise in our field.

At first, I thought Ido’s personality might be a bit much to handle. But very quickly, it grew on me. His uncompromising love for his family, his servant leadership, his wit and sense of humor, and, most of all, the strength and clarity of his beliefs were what I came to know as hallmarks of his character. During our decade-long service together on the SVM leadership team, I became very close to him, especially as we navigated some of the most challenging periods in the Society’s history. For many years, I spoke with him more often than with my own siblings. I always knew I could depend on Ido for anything that truly served SVM’s mission.

When he moved back to Israel, I promised to call him weekly (or at least every other week), and Ido made sure I kept that promise. His clarity of thought and strength of conviction were at the core of who he was.

I miss Ido immensely, and he will always have a special place in my heart. I hope Alma and Daniel one day read about their father and know that he was larger than life, deeply loved by many, and defined above all by a rare purity of character.

Herbert D Aronow, MD, MSVM; Past President of SVM (2021–2023)

Ido was both a cherished friend and a valued colleague, and I feel fortunate to have had him in my life. We shared many passions, from triathlon to vascular medicine, and spent countless hours together honing both. He was among the most innovative and incisive thinkers I have worked alongside in my career—a true luminary in the field of vascular medicine. He had a remarkable ability to light up a room and a rare gift for inspiring others to follow in his path. His passing has left a profound void in our field, and one that will be difficult to fill.

Elizabeth V Ratchford, MD, FSVM; Immediate Past President of SVM (2024–2025)

Ido and I both joined the SVM Board of Trustees in 2015, and we traveled side by side through the SVM leadership path. That journey included nearly a decade of conference calls, emails, and texts. I learned so much from him; he was the first to introduce me to ChatGPT, an idea that seemed improbable at the time. As his co-chair for VSS2023, I met weekly with him and Sandy Addison for an entire year—meetings that were, quite honestly, the most enjoyable calls I have ever had. Ido was funny, brilliant, and deeply motivated, bringing ideas, opinions, and energy to everything he did. At VSS2025, we ran the 5K together and then we just kept running and talking for miles after the race ended. Working alongside him was a privilege, and I miss him greatly.

Esther SH Kim, MD, FSVM; President of SVM (2025–2026)

Ido’s passing leaves behind a profound sense of loss within the Society and the broader medical community—a sentiment that will endure for years to come. His friends and colleagues will miss his energetic enthusiasm, sharp wit, and sense of humor, both on and off the podium.

Ido was truly larger than life. When he entered a room, you knew it. He was physically tall and fit and his big smile, his booming voice, his unabashed confidence would either draw you to him or make you cower. Ido’s public persona was that of a brilliant clinician, educator, author, researcher, and leader, and that was the Ido I knew until I had the chance to visit him, many years ago, at MGH when I was invited as a grand rounds speaker. He showed me around VasCore just beaming with pride and introduced me so warmly to everyone there. That day, I had a glimpse of the Ido so many who knew him well knew—warm, funny, sensitive, intensely human. Dr Weinberg, the SVM President, pushed the Society to explore new ways of reaching our members, elevated our presence in national forums, and ushered us into an era of financial stability and new initiatives. Ido, my friend, always made me feel important and seen. He once offered to make me a ‘real’ cup of coffee the next time I visited Boston. I’m sad the next time never happened. Ido, you are gone too soon, and we will miss you for a long time.

Yogen Kanthi, MD, FSVM

I will remember Ido as an extraordinary person among a group of extraordinary people. He brought rare energy and clarity to everything he touched. I had the privilege of serving alongside him on the SVM Board of Trustees for 4 years, and I quickly came to rely on his brilliance, creativity, and steady determination. Deeply organized and relentlessly thoughtful, he could distill complex challenges to their essential elements, and then move us toward practical, durable solutions. His leadership was grounded in an unwavering commitment to patients and a genuine care for our community.

Ido’s passion was always anchored in what mattered most: improving the lives of people with vascular disease. He cared profoundly about patient care, education, and research that could translate into real-world change. He also helped strengthen and grow SVM by expanding membership, stabilizing its financial foundation, and advancing innovative initiatives that broadened our reach.

He was truly multifaceted: an innovator who didn’t sit still, a triathlete, a creator who experimented with mixed media to teach patients and peers, and a writer of children’s books with a novel in progress. His energy felt boundless. I will miss him greatly, especially the way he turned small moments into adventures: a run in the Nevada desert, the always unsuccessful search for the best coffee in town, and the joy of running into him at the grocery store during conferences.

Vladimir Lakhter, DO, FSVM

Ido was the first attending that I met when I came to MGH as a fellow. After spending a week on a rotation together I felt like I had known him for years. Ido was an incredible clinician who was universally beloved by his patients. He never took anything for granted and always went above and beyond to figure out the diagnosis.

Ido really loved his kids. He lived a walking distance from the hospital just so that he could try to see them during lunch breaks. One day he told me about a book that he was writing for his daughter Alma. I still have a signed copy of the book, which I used to read to my own daughter before bedtime.

Ido was an empathic person who cared deeply about the people who entered his life. Whether it was a patient, a medical student, or a family member, Ido always gave 100% of himself to whoever needed him. I am so grateful to have known him and for the friendship we shared. Ido, I will miss you.

Gaurav Parmar, MD, FSVM

You started as my mentor,

became my colleague,

and remained as my brother.

You found me unwell, living inside a body I was neglecting. You did not shame me. You showed me, by example, what it meant to respect one’s health. Triathlete. Ironman. Proof that discipline could be kind.

You used to say life moves in parallel, not in pieces. That anything that matters must be pulled into the day, not postponed to a quieter future that never arrives. Thinking, you reminded me, is not the same as doing. Doing is the difference.

From 2021 to 2024, Most Wednesday mornings, coffee at Whole Foods. Medicine. Science. Politics. The world. And the quiet work of becoming better.

You believed in me before I believed in myself. No one celebrated my successes with more joy.

I still smile thinking of you,

trying to name a harmless finger after yourself,

‘The Weinberg Finger,’

then laughing when you learned

the world had already called it the Achenbach syndrome.

For the last 2 years, I drove you to the airport, Your True Home always ahead. This time, there was no proper goodbye.

I will not fill the space you left.

Some absences are sacred.

I live this life,

in this body,

with this discipline,

because you cared enough

to push me toward it.

Andrew Dicks, MD, FSVM

Ido was more than a mentor—he was a true friend. As his former fellow, he instilled in me a lasting love for vascular medicine while always pushing for me to be a better clinician and scientist. Without his guidance, I know that I would not be where I am today. Yet it was outside the hospital where he shined most. I will always treasure our regular trips for coffees and pastries at Whole Foods, where conversations drifted from medicine to life, family, and of course cycling. In those moments, I saw how deeply he cared and how fortunate I was to call him a friend. He will be greatly missed by me and the vascular medicine community.

Sneha Thomas, MD, FSVM

Ido was far more than just a Program Director, he was an extraordinary mentor, supporter, and a dear friend. Anyone who had known Ido knows that his energy and charisma were infectious. His vision often extended far beyond what the rest of us could imagine, and he constantly challenged me to strive for excellence and to pursue achievements greater than I thought possible.

Nothing was impossible for Ido. He was ambitious and purposeful, always working diligently toward the future he envisioned for the Society, his program, and ‘his people’. He led with confidence and was often stern and direct, yet beneath that firmness was a genuinely kind heart.

I will truly miss him, but I am profoundly grateful for the privilege of having worked alongside Ido. Though it brings me great sorrow, I also reflect with deep honor on being his last fellow, a distinction I will always carry with pride and gratitude.