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Dialysis pioneer, nephrology leader dies by Cindy Abole Public Relations Arthur Williams Jr., M.D., former director of the Division of Nephrology (1970 to 1989), scientist, pioneer and author, died Feb. 15.   Born June 5, 1919 in Charleston, Williams was the son of Arthur V. Williams and Zerline Levy Williams Richmond. He attended Clemson University and was a 1943 graduate of the Medical College of South Carolina (now MUSC). He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of Beth Elohim Temple.   Dialysis pioneer Dr. Arthur Williams Jr., right, joins colleagues Drs. John Buse, center, and Chevis Smyth, around 1961 in front of one of the Southeast’s earliest dialysis machines established at MUSC. Dialysis at that time required heroic multispecialty efforts, immense logistics, and a large room full of equipment.  During his residency years at Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee, Williams worked with the Developmental Division of Allis-Chalmers to help design the Kolff-type artificial kidney.   He returned to Charleston where he practiced internal medicine for 16 years. In 1966, he joined the faculty at MUSC to head the Hemodialysis Unit and was among the first physicians in the South to enter the field of renal replacement therapy.      “When I joined MUSC in 1970, Arthur had already begun to organize and develop a renal division with help from nurses and staff at Dialysis Clinic Inc., (DCI). We worked together in this effort for more than 20 years before his retirement. While dialysis and renal transplantation are commonplace today, when one considers state-of-the-art technology in 1965, Arthur’s achievements are even more remarkable. The Kolff coil kidney was certainly primitive by current standards at the time, but Arthur rapidly integrated newer equipment into the program. He was intense; a good patient advocate and caring physician. His role in developing nephrology at MUSC and in South Carolina should be remembered for its largess,” said Newton C. Brackett, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Medicine/Nephrology.   “Arthur was one of the best all-around doctors I’ve ever known,” said Peter C. Gazes, M.D., distinguished University Professor of Cardiology, Division of Cardiology. “He was very adept and knowledgeable about renal disease through his work in Milwaukee and established MUSC’s nephrology department. He pioneered the state’s first dialysis program and helped coordinate care of all patients long before Medicare and Medicaid programs were established.”   Williams later founded the Division of Nephrology and was named director from 1970 to 1989. He was inducted into MUSC’s Society of 1824. Williams served as president of the Southeastern Dialysis and Transplant Association in 1973 and chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation in 1980. He founded the South Carolina Chapter of the Kidney Foundation.   “Dr. Williams built a large clinical program that has been the bulwark of the division’s long-term success in the area of patient care and educa-tion. Along with other key faculty, notably Drs. Newton C. Brackett and Jovan Milutinovic, he laid the groundwork for a fellowship in nephrology and established a sound financial base that made it possible for the department to grow substantially. He single-handedly established a pattern of practice and unforgiving high standards that we continue to emulate to the present,” said David Ploth, M.D., director of the Division of Nephrology and Arthur V. Williams Jr. Professor of Medicine. “His legacy to MUSC and the Division of Nephrology is immense and although we will miss him, we should never forget him or the fact that he made it possible for our program to be what it is today.”   “He was incredibly generous with his time and advice when I was recruited to MUSC in 1996,” said John Raymond, M.D., vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost and DCI Professor of Medicine. “I very much enjoyed Dr. Williams’ wisdom and unflagging patient advocacy during our joint nephrology clinic at the VA [Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center].”        In retirement, Williams authored two books, “Tales of Charleston” (1998) and “Tales of Clemson” (2002). He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and other family. Friday, March 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.