SADS Remembers Dr. Michael Vincent

August 12,1940- February 12, 2020

The SADS Foundation sadly announces that on February 12, 2020, our founder Dr. G. Michael Vincent passed away peacefully after a life lived with humility, grace, and inspiration. We honor his service to the mission of the SADS Foundation through the momentous contributions he made in the medical field, through the care he gave to thousands of families, and the thousands of young lives that were saved. We will miss Dr. Vincent’s guidance, munificent efforts, and generous heart as we continue to bring his vision to life.

"Michael was such an important part of our pediatric EP community even though he was an adult EP. He really put LQTS “on the map” and went beyond that by founding the SADS Foundation to help support families, patients and physicians who care for patients with inherited arrhythmias. Along with researcher at the University of Utah including Mark Keating and Katherine Timothy he helped us understand the genetic nature of LQTS and opened the door for further discoveries in inherited arrhythmias. Despite his worldwide recognition and illustrious career he was a humble, incredibly kind and generous man. He really was a role model for me as to how to be successful with grace. He is the reason I became interested in this population of patients. I will miss him."—Dr. Susan Etheridge

"I am saddened by the loss of my good friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Vincent. Michael created and ran the SADS Foundation for many years—helping hundreds of families around the world to “live and thrive” with long QT syndrome. And he supported and trained so many physicians who care for patients with genetic arrhythmia syndromes. When he retired, he allowed me to continue and build upon his work with SADS, which was a deep honor."—Dr. Michael Ackerman

“ One of the most gracious people I ever had the pleasure to meet and know. He made me feel like one of his own family. What a great honor for me.”—Dr. Robert Campbell

"It was my pleasure to work with Dr. Vincent in the early years of LQT clinical research. He was truly one of the pioneers of unexplained sudden death, and specifically LQT when it was little known or recognized. He saw the great potential of genetic research for LQT back in the 1980s. After our first genetic linkage find and the increased volume of calls to our office, he began to appreciate the vast numbers of affected individuals and families. With this new understanding, one day he asked me what I thought about starting a foundation to help people with LQT and other unexplained sudden death disorders...thus were the humble beginnings of the SADS Foundation.
Dr. Vincent was always kind to his patients and they sincerely appreciated his caring manner and clinical knowledge during their times of greatest loss. Many, many people will ever be grateful and indebted to Dr. G. Michael Vincent." -Katherine Timothy

Read more about Dr. G. Michael Vincent's life and accomplishments HERE

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the SADS Foundation as he felt so passionately about the organization he began. For anyone who would like to attend and celebrate his wonderful life, his viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 East and 1300 South, Salt Lake City) on Thursday, February 20, 6- 8 p.m.

If you wish to leave a message of condolence for Dr. Michael Vincent please submitt a message below .

Dr. Michael Vincent Memorial Tribute

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Messages of Condolences:
Sharon Lentino	Sending prayers and hugs to Dr Vincent’s family. He was so caring and compassionate to all who had a chance to meet him! Thank you for sharing him with the SADS community for which we are all so blessed! May his passion for good care continue through the work he started. God Bless you Dr Vincent!
Mandi Rudloff Chesser	May his legacy live on through the SADS Foundation and the many physicians who share his same mission. Rest In Peace, we will miss your passion and expertise in the field. Prayers and condolences to his family, friends and the many he helped over the years.
Nancy Adams, former SADS board member and family member	We all owe Dr. Vincent so much. He was always so gracious, and humble, and such a gentleman. What an extraordinary man! Thinking of you all & sending love to you.
Peter Schwartz, MD, SADS Scientific Advisor	This is an extremely sad loss. I have had the good fortune of being good friends with him since the very early days of the long QT syndrome. I met him, for the first of many times, in 1974 when I went to Salt Lake City to talk with his mentor, Dr. Abildskov, another gentleman and had always remained in close contact with him. Mike Vincent always carried together his ethical values and his human gentlessnes with his passion for LQTS and the related clinical studies. I was very privileged in sharing, with him and with Arthur Moss, so many memorable moments in our understanding of this intriguing disease. I am deeply saddened by his departure.
Alan London, former SADS board member and family member	He was a wonderful man and a brilliant researcher. An inspiration to so many. I’m happy to hear that he is at peace, though not forgotten.
Jenny Marinovich, former SADS staff	I am so sorry to learn that Dr. Vincent has passed away. Our condolences to his family as well as everyone at the SADS Foundation. While it is a great loss, I am sure it is comforting to so many to know that his work will live on through the SADS Foundation.
Genevie Echols	I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Vincent when I was first diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome in 1996. I was diagnosed at the age of 15 and was treated by Dr. Etheridge. Dr. Vincent and Dr. Etheridge helped to evaluate the rest of my family to see who I had inherited my LQT from. Dr. Vincent diagnosed and treated my mom and grandpa. He was so kind and caring. He will be greatly missed and always be kindly regarded by my family and I.
Patricia Schmandt Yarnes	My heart is heavy tonight. Dr. Vincent was truly a god send to myself and my daughter. I was diagnosed in Germany in 1992 with LQTS and my daughter at the LDS hospital at the age of 4 by Dr. Vincent after we were stationed in Utah with the USAF. Greeted by Kathy Timothy and Dr. Vincent, how lucky we felt, by chance, to have moved to the place where LongQT syndrome was studied and treated on such an intense level! He made us feel like he wasn’t just our doctor but someone who genuinely cared for us. As individuals and as a family. He was always quiet mannered with time to answer all of our questions. To help us understand our diagnosis better. Just such a perfect bedside manner. Even years after we moved away, I still called him for advice, and of course he always had an answer for me. Thank you for everything. My condolences to his family and friends and the SADS Foundation.
John Jolly	Michael Vincent was a very caring man always ready to listen to people in need o help. After losing our son Ashley, Michael helped Anne understand why we had lost Ashley. He continued to help us including in 2002 when he took a huge leap of faith and worked with us on the 1st International SADS conference in London. Michael you will be missed by all those who knew you and by those you worked has helped.
Shauna Mills Hatch	I met Dr. Vincent in 2002 when he tested my family and I for LQT. Four of us were diagnosed. Dr. Vincent was kind, helpful, and understanding. I'm sad to hear of his passing.
Joanna Bewick, SADS Board member and family member	Please share with the family how very sorry I am to hear of Dr. Vincent’s passing. I remember meeting him at the national conference a few years back when he was honored for his pioneering work on Long QT. He was lovely, humble and kind. His work has saved so many lives, perhaps even my own family member’s. I am so grateful for him and I join the family in their sadness at his passing, but I also join them in celebrating a life so well lived in service to others. God bless Dr. Vincent and his family.

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Warning Signs
- Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death under age 40.
- Fainting or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle.
- Consistent or unusual chest pain &/or shortness of breath during exercise.

SADS Remembers Dr. Michael Vincent

Dr. Michael Vincent Memorial Tribute

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