It is with deep sadness and immense respect that we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Robert H. Bartlett, a pioneering surgeon, visionary researcher, and compassionate clinician, who passed away in 2025. Known worldwide as the Father of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Dr. Bartlett’s groundbreaking work has saved more than 100,000 lives globally and forever transformed the field of critical care medicine.
Dr. Bartlett devoted his career to advancing life-saving support for patients experiencing severe heart and lung failure. His development and refinement of ECMO technology created a new frontier in patient care—from premature infants to adults—offering hope where none existed. What was once an experimental idea is now a global standard of care, and that evolution began with his vision and dedication.
In 1980, Dr. Bartlett joined the University of Michigan, where he brought with him a team of talented researchers and established the ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support) Laboratory. This center, still active today, continues to train and inspire future generations of medical professionals, hosting up to 100 students, residents, and investigators each year. His work at U-M laid the foundation for one of the most respected ECMO programs in the world.
Recognizing the need for global collaboration, Dr. Bartlett founded the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) in 1989. His vision was for ELSO to be “the motor for research, the forum for discussion, the internal conscience, and the external voice” of ECMO. His leadership built a global community dedicated to advancing knowledge, improving outcomes, and saving lives.
Beyond his technical brilliance, Dr. Bartlett was revered for his humility, mentorship, and enduring passion for patient care. His influence reached far beyond Michigan—he had friends and colleagues across the world and was a beacon of wisdom and kindness to all who knew him.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and the countless lives he touched. Dr. Robert Bartlett’s work will continue to echo through the lives it saves and the medical minds it inspires.
A giant in medicine, a pioneer in science, and a man of profound humanity—Dr. Bartlett will be deeply missed and forever remembered.