By Anne Gavic, MPA, RCEP, MAACVPR

On March 18, 2026, the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) community lost an incredible advocate, leader, mentor, and friend. Mark Williams, PhD, MAACVPR, Professor Emeritus at Creighton University Department of Cardiology, was widely recognized as a foundational leader in cardiac rehabilitation.  A past president of AACVPR, his passion for the profession and his belief in the significant benefits from CR participation were evident in his research, publications, teaching, and practice. 

Mark’s contribution to the scientific basis for cardiac rehabilitation was profound. He authored over 80 scientific statements and research publications punctuating the value and advancing the practice of cardiac rehabilitation. His scientific statement on resistance exercise for individuals with cardiovascular disease urged inclusion of strength training in a cardiac rehab environment that historically focused largely on aerobic training. Mark researched and reported that substantial benefits were gained when elderly patients participated in cardiac rehabilitation. This helped to shift the focus from enrolling only the younger robust patients to including more frail, elderly patients in CR. His thoughtful discussion of exercise assessment provided a practical guide to assessing functional capacity and a directive to systematically prescribe exercise in the cardiac rehabilitation setting. 

Mark made meaningful contributions to AACVPR’s foundational publications such as the Core Components of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Core Competencies for Cardiac Rehabilitation Professionals. These documents outlined essential building blocks for both cardiac rehabilitation program development and professional competency. Additionally, Mark served as editor-in-chief for the AACVPR Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention for 18 years (1996-2013), tirelessly working to create a publication that has served as an indispensable guide for cardiac rehabilitation program excellence.     

Mark’s involvement and influence in AACVPR spanned decades. He served on the Board of Directors from 1990-1995, including his term as president during 1993-1994. He also served on and chaired numerous committees, and received accolades and awards for his service. Those honors include the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and Presidential Citation Awards in 2011 and 2013. In addition, in 2005, Mark was awarded AACVPR’s highest honor, The L. Kent Smith Award of Excellence, for his outstanding contributions to AACVPR and the field of cardiac rehabilitation. Finally, he was part of the esteemed group of professionals who received the inaugural designation of AACVPR Master Fellow in 2010.

In 2001, Mark began serving as associate editor of AACVPR’s Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehab (JCR) and in 2007 assumed responsibility as editor-in-chief for the newly named Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (JCRP). In this role, he focused on expanding content to include primary prevention, exercise physiology, and epidemiology and continued to ensure the journal met the highest of standards. Under his leadership, JCRP achieved its first Scientific Impact Factor in June 2010.

Through the years, Mark developed a global network of colleagues who valued, respected, and loved him. He could be counted on for his spirited debates, insightful discussions, and strong opinions — always grounded in both solid research and common sense and always with an eye for quality and the best interest of patients at the center. 

But to those who knew Mark best, his friends and closest colleagues, it is Mark’s spirit that will be missed the most. They will remember his unfailing love of life, his hearty laugh, and the twinkle in his eye. They will reflect on his love of music, his passion for baseball, and countless lively conversations and tall tales shared over an ice-cold beer. 

Mark leaves behind a legacy that is as expansive as it is enduring — one built on scientific rigor, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of cardiac rehabilitation patients everywhere. Yet beyond his remarkable professional achievements, it is the unwavering quality he brought to his work, the generosity he extended to colleagues, and the unmistakable spark of his personality that will be remembered most. The cardiac rehabilitation community is profoundly better because of him, and those who had the privilege of knowing Mark carry forward not only his contributions, but his spirit — curious, passionate, wholehearted, and forever dedicated to elevating the field he loved.