Creighton University lost an alumnus, professor, scientist and mentor when Dr. Robert Heaney died Aug. 6 after a 15-month long battle with brain cancer. 

Heaney was proud member of the Creighton community for almost 70 years, starting in 1941 at Creighton Preparatory School.

Not only was Heaney a chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Creighton, the first vice president for Health Sciences and first holder of the John A. Creighton professorship, Heaney was also recognized as a “Legend of Osteoporosis” by the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Heaney’s honors include the Lifetime Achievement for Research Award from Creighton, the Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the E.V. McCollum Award of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition and the Frederic C. Bartter Award of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

“He was a polyglot in research expertise,” said the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, S.J. president of Creighton University. “He was passionate about the poor and the marginalized; he was dedicated to the Creighton mission.” 

Heaney’s work in osteoporosis drew light to a disease that can lead to broken bones and death, especially in the elderly. Because of his work broken bones are no longer seen as a natural part of aging.

While Heaney’s research gained him international attention in the medical community as a “legend” his work at Creighton led him to becoming a mentor to many students during his 55-year career.

One student who worked under Heaney was Dr. Chris Elias who is the President of Global Developmentat the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Elias began working under Heaney in the late 1970s as an undergrad student helping analyze Heaney’s data on post-menopausal osteoporosis. 

“I learned many things from Dr. Heaney: statistics, critical thinking and a good deal of internal medicine,” said Elias. “Most importantly, however, I learned how to be passionate about my work, compassionate toward the patients who contribute and benefit from medical research and dedicated to the pursuit of evidence to support clinical decisions.”

Hendrickson says the response from the Creighton community has been overwhelming.

“The People at Creighton recognize this is a loss of a giant,” said Hendrickson.