IN MEMORIAM: University of Florida physician Lamar Crevasse remembered for four decades of service in academic medicine

Cardiologist Lamar Earl Crevasse, M.D., a charter faculty member of the University of Florida College of Medicine who served the university for 42 years, died June 25 at his home in Gainesville. He was 75.

Memorial services were held at Gainesville’s First Presbyterian Church on June 28, 2001.

Dr. Crevasse gained a reputation among his peers as “one of the fathers of computerized electrocardiography.” He helped pioneer the development of computerized systems for analyzing electrocardiograms (tracings of the heart’s electrical activity), which have improved the diagnosis and monitoring of heart disease. He also was credited with originating the concept of regional ECG processing centers, and for establishing one of the world’s largest regional ECG processing centers at the UF Health Science Center.

Crevasse and colleagues, including computer science Professor Mario Ariet, conducted extensive clinical studies that paved the way for expanded use of microcomputers to compare a series of electrocardiograms in chronological sequence to help detect changes in heart function over time. The UF team joined IBM computer scientists in developing one of the nation’s first computer systems for such comparative ECG analyses.

Crevasse leaves a legacy of contributions to patient care, teaching and research in his specialty of cardiology. He came to Gainesville from Atlanta in 1958, taking a position as an instructor of medicine and first chief resident in medicine at UF’s College of Medicine, just two years before the college admitted its first students. During his career at UF, he served as medical director of the department of medicine’s s computer sciences division and the Shands Heart Station; as assistant dean for regional medical affairs and as associate dean for continuing medical education.

In 1960 he became the first UF medical faculty member to be named a Markle Scholar. He was elected as a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi national honor society.

Crevasse, a native of West Palm Beach, earned his M.D. degree at Duke University School of Medicine. He completed further training at the New York Hospital and at Emory University Hospital.

Surviving family members include his wife, Carol Austin Crevasse of Gainesville; a daughter, Candice C. Scott of Atlanta; sons Johnathon Lamar Crevasse and Arthur Austin Crevasse, both of Gainesville, and four grandchildren.