Donald Baim, Harvard professor and Boston Scientific executive, dies at 60

NATICK, MASS — Dr. Donald Baim, a renowned cardiologist and medical device executive, died Friday following surgery to treat a form of cancer, his family said in a statement. He was 60.

Baim had undergone recent surgery to remove diseased tissue caused by adrenal cancer, a rare form of the disease that attacks the adrenal glands.

Baim, a former Harvard medical school professor, most recently served as chief medical officer for Boston Scientific Corp., a leading manufacturer of pacemakers, defibrillators and other implants. He joined the company in 2006.

Boston Scientific Chief Executive Ray Elliot called Baim, "a pioneer in the development of interventional cardiology."

"The many contributions he made to science, medicine and medical technology will serve as a proud and enduring legacy," Elliot said in a statement to employees.

A company spokesman declined to comment on who would take over the medical officer position.

Baim joined Harvard Medical School in 1981 and established the interventional cardiology program at Beth Israel medical center, a teaching hospital for Harvard students. The program specialized in training surgeons to use new medical devices, including stents. The mesh-metal tubes are used to prop open arteries after they have been cleared of fatty plaque.

Baim edited the standard medical textbook for using the devices.

In 2000, Baim moved to Brigham and Women's Hospital, also in Boston.

Baim received his medical degree from Yale University and completed training in cardiology and internal medicine at Stanford University.

Memorial services are set for Monday in Canton, Mass.