Education

Dr. William J. Rowe is a distinguished internist, cardiovascular specialist and educator who draws upon 31 years of excellence in his areas of expertise. A past clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Medical University of Ohio at Toledo from 1962 until his retirement in 1993, Dr. Rowe also served Saint Vincent’s Hospital as the chair of medicine from 1979 to 1983 and the Northwest Ohio Heart Association as the chief advisor of the committee on cardiac rehabilitation from 1981 to 1983. During his longstanding tenure in medicine and education, he has also notably contributed his time to People-to-People International, where he was a delegate to the citizen ambassador program to China. After obtaining an MD from the University of Cincinnati, he also served to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force.

An author of a recent editorial regarding space flight and lunar dust hypertension in the Journal of Hypertension and Management, Dr. Rowe has been documented thoroughly in scientific articles and news releases for his contributions to the study of cardiovascular complications of spaceflight. Through his studies of such astronauts as Neil Armstrong and James Irwin, Dr. Rowe concluded that the inhalation of highly toxic lunar iron-laden dust could contribute to hypertension. He studied the medical histories of both astronauts extensively both pre- and post-space flight, noting that iron dust inhalation contributed to Armstrong’s diastolic blood pressure upon his return to Earth. Likewise, Irwin’s history of hypertension intensified following his return to Earth, exhibiting a bicycle stress test reading of 275/125 after only three minutes of exercise and cyanotic nail beds consistent with vascular injuries. Furthermore, Dr. Rowe has contributed articles to numerous scientific journals including Acta Astronautica, Lancet, Circulation and the International Journal of Impact Research.

Among his myriad achievements, Dr. Rowe is most notable for being the first to publish studies on elevated adrenaline levels in outer space and coined two spaceflight syndromes, the Apollo 15 Space Syndrome and the Neil Armstrong Syndrome. He has also contributed to the understanding of the “Iron Brake Dust Age,” which he emphasizes will not cease until effective legislation is passed to ensure the eradication of iron-laden brakes in vehicles. Moreover, Dr. Rowe was the first to show the necessity of developing a subcutaneous magnesium product and delivery device for space missions, wherein he highlighted the vital role magnesium plays for scientists and experimental animals in outer space. Dr. Rowe attributes his success to his curiosity, passion and creativity. He has been selected for inclusion in several editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in the World.

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