ACC Past President Adolph M. Hutter Jr., MD, MACC, a globally renowned cardiologist with a focus on the athletic heart, passed away on Dec. 5, 2023.

Hutter was a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, a clinical cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and director of the MGH Heart Center's Cardiac Performance Program. He also served as cardiologist to prominent Boston sports teams, including the Bruins (NHL), the Patriots (NFL), and the Revolution (MLS).

A native of Wisconsin, Hutter obtained his undergraduate degree from George Washington University, and returned to his home state to attend the University of Wisconsin for medical school. He became a cardiology fellow at MGH in 1968, joining the staff there in 1970 and founding and leading the Update in Clinical Cardiology Course that is still attended by thousands around the world.

Throughout his career, Hutter made significant contributions to the field of cardiology, authoring or co-authoring over 150 publications. His expertise lies in general adult cardiology, with particular focus on coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and the athletic heart.

“Dr. Hutter was a master clinician, a pioneering sports cardiologist, and a dedicated teacher of generations of cardiologists at MGH and worldwide. Most of all, however, he was a friend to all,” said ACC Board of Trustee Member James L. Januzzi Jr., MD, FACC. “He was a warm, kind person, someone who genuinely showed interest in getting to know his patients and his colleagues. He is one of the major reasons I stayed at MGH … and I'm proud to honor his name as the incumbent Adolph M. Hutter Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.”

Hutter’s involvement in the ACC included many leadership roles, including serving as ACC President from 1992-1993. He was also associate editor of the ACCEL Editorial Board and was chair of a number of committees, including the ACC Credentials Committee, Chapter Relations Committee, Board of Trustees, Government Relations Committee, among others.

In celebration of the College’s 70th anniversary back in 2019, Hutter had this to say about the organization’s impact and the future of cardiology: "The ACC has been and continues to be the premier professional organization addressing the ever-changing scenario of excellent cardiovascular care for patients throughout the world. Key to this continued successful effort have been the guidelines, registries, JACC and related journals, the annual meetings and advocacy," he said. "The dedication and commitment of our volunteer members continue to make this professional organization a leader with great impact."