EAST MEADOW, NY – The County of Nassau, NY along with its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community will be posthumously honoring Greek-American Dr. Costas T. “Gus” Lambrew during the 47th annual National EMS Week May 15-21.

“Specifically, on May 21 we will be dedicating Nassau County Medical Control at Nassau University Medical Center – East Meadow, NY in his honor,” Dr. Thomas Mastakouris said via email, adding that Dr. Lambrew’s family should be in attendance. Dr. Mastakouris also shared an image of the plaque which will be unveiled on May 21.

Dr. Lambrew passed away on December 12, 2019, at the age of 87, the Portland Press Herald reported, noting that he “dedicated his career to advancing research, training, and quality health care for all, including presidents, princes, and people in poverty.”

A pioneer in cardiology, he was recognized nationally and internationally in numerous ways, including for developing one of the first paramedic pre-hospital cardiac care programs in the U.S. and helped create cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) programs.

He travelled the world presenting his research on thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (“clot busters”), which advanced care for patients with acute heart attacks. He was named a Master of the College of Cardiology in 2004 when fewer than 100 held that title at the time.

Dr. Lambrew worked at Maine Medical Center (MMC) from 1977 until his retirement in 2004. He began at MMC as a Physician Educator in Emergency Medicine, followed by positions as Vice President of Health Affairs; Director, Division of Cardiology and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit; and Chief of Cardiology. He advanced MMC to the list of the top 100 best cardiac care hospitals in the country.

At MCC, Dr. Lambrew led a cardiology fellowship program which trained many of the cardiologists practicing in Maine today. He was a professor of medicine at Cornell, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and the University of Vermont. He was an active member and held various positions with the American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Lambrew published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He also helped launch the modern era of clinical research at MMC. MMC’s annual research retreat is named in his honor.

He received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1953 and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1957. In addition to MMC, he worked at the National Institutes of Health, New York Hospital, Nassau County Medical Center and Unum.

A curious and intellectual man, he spoke multiple languages including his native Greek. Dr. Lambrew enjoyed respectful and spirited debate, was kind, gentle and always helped others. He loved to read, sing, travel, and sail. He was also a man of faith and family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia; three daughters: Christie Karmen, her husband John, and her sons Justin and Colin Donnelly; Jeanne Lambrew; and Kate Hull, her husband Jeff, and their children Owen and Nora. Being an only child, he especially appreciated Pat’s large and loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough, Maine, on December 18, 2019. Arrangements were under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Dr. Lambrew’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

No contribution is necessary, but instead of flowers, donations are suggested to Preble Street, Development Department, 38 Preble Street, Portland, ME 04101 or the Maine Medical Center to support the Lambrew Research Retreat, Development Department, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine 04102.