News

The ISN is saddened to announce the death of Dr. John Thomas Herrin, who passed away on October 25, 2020.

Dr. Herrin graduated with a medical degree from Melbourne University and went on to specialize in nephrology at St Vincent’s and Royal Children’s Hospitals in Melbourne. He later held positions at the Shriners Burns Institute, as Chief of Pediatric Nephrology at Mass General Hospital, and as Director of Clinical Services, Pediatric Nephrology at Children’s Hospital in Boston. He was an Associate Professor at Harvard University Medical School.

Dr. Herrin was an active, emeritus member of the ISN involved in collaborating with the Fundación Valle del Líli in Cali, Colombia, as part of the ISN Sister Renal Centers (SRC) and ISN-TTS Sister Transplant Centers Trio programs.

Through his role at Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Herrin mentored Dr. Jaime Restrepo, Emerging Center Liaison Officer at the Fundación, guiding a strategic planning process in the region to enhance building capacity in pediatric nephrology. He supported the ongoing collaboration between the centers, assisting in academic issues, clinical research, and difficult cases, as well as encouraging consultant involvement in the project. His tireless efforts helped the Fundación Valle del Líli to become a Regional Training Center.

Dr. Jaime Restrepo remembers: “His teaching methodology, his great level of commitment with fellows and residents, the immense clinical authority, and the special capacity to establish a proper relationship with the patients and their families, is the most important legacy for me and all those who had the opportunity to enjoy his wise company.”

The ISN mourns his loss and offers its sincerest condolences to his family.