Former Duke University Chancellor for Health Affairs dies

A. Eugene Washington, Chancellor for Health Affairs at Duke University, said that Anlyan had given more than 40 years of service to Duke, 25 of which were spent as leader of the health enterprise.

“Bill Anlyan transformed Duke into the world-leading institution it is today,” said a statement from Washington.

Anlyan came to Duke in 1949 to complete his medical residency and became an associate professor of surgery before working his way up to becoming Associate Dean of the School of Medicine in 1963. In 1969. He became Vice President for Health Affairs, which was the top position in the Duke health enterprise at the time. The position eventually became the Chancellor for Health Affairs in 1983.

Washington said that Anlyan retired in 1989, but continues to remain a “generous resource to members of our community.”

Anlyan also filled many leadership roles in other organizations including the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, of which he was a founding member.

“His passing is a tremendous loss because of the way he lived his life, the achievements he brought to fruition and the legacy he bequeaths to us all,” said Washington.