9 He Was Wholly There for Us

Howard was the leader who changed and improved two of Harvard's most important institutions—Beth Israel Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health. He fostered the birth of the global health equity department at the Brigham. But the most important contributions Howard Hiatt made involved his role as a mentor, guiding and shaping the lives of some of the most influential men and women in healthcare. Through the decades he served as a counsellor, mentor, teacher, adviser, and friend to scores of young physicians, but perhaps his greatest influence as a mentor was his relationship with four Harvard Medical School graduates who became so close to one another—and to Howard—that they refer to themselves as “the brothers.” Three of these four physicians—Don Berwick, Jim Yong Kim, and Paul Farmer—are among the most influential and accomplished healthcare leaders of their generation. I was lucky enough to be the fourth brother. Howard connected us and has been incredibly supportive of all of us. He has been very important in all of our lives. In late 2012 and early 2013, I sat down with each of my “brothers,” and interviewed them about the role Howard has played in their lives. This chapter draws from those sessions.