Daniel W. Foster, M.D.

Daniel W. Foster, M.D.

1930-2018

The third of five chairs of the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, Daniel W. Foster was a pioneering force in patient care, education, and research throughout his entire career, including his time at UT Southwestern.

After graduating from UT Southwestern medical school at the top of his class, Dr. Foster followed his residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital with a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. He returned to UT Southwestern at the behest of Drs. Donald Seldin, Michael Brown, and Joseph Goldstein. In a spectacular three-decade collaboration with his scientific partner, Dr. J. Denis McGarry, Dr. Foster discovered the malonyl-CoA regulatory system—detailing its fundamental role in fuel metabolism, fatty acid oxidation and ketone body formation.

As Department Chair from 1987 to 2003, Dr. Foster spearheaded Internal Medicine’s remarkable academic growth, recruiting numerous outstanding faculty who went on to establish their own successful careers at UT Southwestern. His bold vision for the Department enabled the launch of the transformative Dallas Heart Study. Dr. Foster’s seminal contributions to academic Internal Medicine were widely recognized. His many honors included election to the National Academy of Medicine, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians, as well as the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement from the American Diabetes Association.

He was equally committed to the education and training of students and residents, serving as Headmaster of the Academic Colleges at UT Southwestern, President of the Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas, and being named an Outstanding Physician Educator in Diabetes by the American Diabetes Association.

Dr. Foster’s patients greatly appreciated his counsel, kindness, and personal warmth—and to this day reflect upon him fondly as they return to UT Southwestern for their care. Dr. Foster’s legacy of integrity, education, research, and patient care remains etched into the mission of the Department of Internal Medicine, and his leadership by example continues to serve as a guiding light to UT Southwestern.