Renan P. Uflacker, M.D., 62, professor of medicine and director of the Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, died on June 12.

A physician, teacher and researcher, Uflacker practiced vascular and interventional radiology medicine for 34 years. He was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1949 and finished medical school and his residency at the University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and completed his fellowship training in interventional radiology in Oslo, Norway and Pittsburgh, Pa.

He did extensive work in peripheral vascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases before completing his Master of Science degree in medicine-gastroenterology.He joined MUSC as a vascular radiologist and director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology in 1993, transforming the division into a major national center for interventional radiology. Uflacker did pioneering work in the areas of liver disease, portal hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, aneurysms and interventional oncology. In research, he was the owner of multiple patents for innovative medical devices.

Department of Radiology chair Phillip Costello, M.D., commended Uflacker for his leadership and vision in the field of vascular and interventional radiology as an essential component of modern medical care. Costello also praised his colleague for his passion for medicine, work ethic and intellect.

"Dr. Uflacker was a lot more to those who worked most closely with him, he also was a friend," said Costello.
Interventional radiologist Bayne Selby, M.D., added, "In academic medicine we often categorize our associates by their scientific and medical achievements and the weight of their CV, but the true measure of a man is found elsewhere. Renan was a loving husband and father to one of the nicest families you could ever hope to meet. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."

Uflacker was a long-standing member of the Radiological Society of North America, the Society of Interventional Radiology and a fellow of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology of Europe. He was an active speaker and lecturer at national and international meetings and conferences. He wrote and co-authored multiple textbooks, contributed chapters to books and wrote more than 100 articles for scientific journals.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Helena Becker Uflacker; son and his wife, Dr. Andre and Curry H. Uflacker; and daughter and her husband, Dr. Alice Uflacker and Bryant Mesereau and other family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Charleston Foundation, 676 Wando Blvd., Mount Pleasant, S.C., 29464 or Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, S.C., 29464.