Pitt alumnus William Hayes Thies died on Aug. 16, 2020, in Lake Forest, Ill.
After earning his PhD in pharmacology from Pitt's School of Medicine, Thies was a faculty member in the medical schools of Pitt and the University of Illinois before joining the American Heart Association, where he formed a new stroke division that later became the American Stroke Association. He took on senior leadership roles at The Alzheimer's Association National Office starting in 1998. He retired In 2013 from full-time work as the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer. Under his leadership, the Alzheimer’s Association awarded millions of dollars to Pitt that resulted in significant advances in Alzheimer’s research.