Tributes have been paid to a much-loved former Chief Echocardiographer at Ysbyty Gwynedd after he sadly passed away following a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
Clive Fisk began his career in North Wales in the former C&A Hospital during the early 1980s. He was a pioneer in Echocardiography and was instrumental in the implementation and development of echocardiography and cardiac diagnostic investigations in North West Wales.
Although he had retired in May 2012 he remained a dear a friend to all the staff within the Cardiology team and still took a keen interest in the service and its developments.
Dr Graham Thomas, GP with a special interest within Cardiology, said: “I have various fond memories of Clive at work. He welcomed me into his scanning lists when I was a GP starting to develop an interest in Cardiac Ultrasound. We spent a number of afternoons looking at the wonderful dancing images on the screen and I started to appreciate both the skill and also the interpretive challenges of measuring and describing this ‘operator dependent’ skill.
“Although he did not have the capacity to provide further training, Clive took time during his full lists to help get me started in echocardiography which is now part of my medical life.
“He frequently spoke of looking forward to retiring – which came 10 years ago, releasing him to a new life of gardening and home. I last met him at a birthday celebration between Covid waves and just before the diagnosis that was to be his last great struggle.
“RIP Clive, pioneer and father figure for all of us who undertake cardiac ultrasound in North West Wales.”
Dr Mark Payne, Clinical Lead for Medicine at Ysbyty Gwynedd, added: “Clive has left a legacy behind him that he worked so very hard to develop.
“Clive was a pioneer in Echocardiography and was there at the beginning of the development in the ultrasound assessment of the heart. He played a key role in the development of the Cardiology Diagnostic service here in the Health Board and led the Cardiology Investigations Department in Ysbyty Gwynedd very successfully for many years.
“He supported and led his team through their careers with support, kindness and encouragement and many still remain within Cardiology today. He held a wonderful friendship with all his team and he will be greatly missed.”
A fundraising page in memory of Clive, for the Ysbyty Gwynedd and Pancreatic Cancer charities, has been set up here: https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/fisk/5052704
