His invention of the so-called ‘Hickman’ catheter revolutionised the treatment of recipients of Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplants (HSCT). ‘Bob’ was a member of the team that put the first patient on haemodialysis. He was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ where he served in many capacities.
The ‘Hickman’ catheter has evolved from a single lumen to a triple lumen catheter and is usually placed percutaneously by an experienced radiologist.
Dr Fred Applebaum from The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre said: ‘people make contributions in many ways. Some have deep scientific insight that uncover DNA or how viruses work. Bob’s contribution saved more suffering, anxiety, and pain than almost anyone I can imagine’.
The University of Washington Medical Centre endowed a chair in Hickman’s honour.
I had the privilege of working with Bob in 1980.
