Remembering Jeremy D. Walston, MD (April 7, 1961—June 10, 2025): Part Two
The Johns Hopkins Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology will hold a memorial service for Dr. Jeremy D. Walston, their late deputy director, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 3-5pm in the atrium of the Allergy & Asthma Center on the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus. The service will include recollections and reflections on Jeremy’s life and career and a video slideshow tribute. Speakers will include Drs. Linda P. Fried, John Burton, Karen Bandeen-Roche, George Kuchel, and Peter Abadir, plus others. No reservations are required. All are welcome to attend.
Below, we continue sharing personal remembrances of Jeremy that began in Part One of this tribute series.
“What do I say about the most brilliant person I have ever known? He started out as my boss, then we became friends, and then—as the years passed—I considered him family. Twenty-five plus years working together… he was loved, and I will miss him forever.”
Denise Baldwin, Senior Administrative Coordinator (Retired), Johns Hopkins University, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
“I first met Jeremy in the mid-2000s when I started working as a research assistant in the Johns Hopkins Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. I remember being struck early on by what an exceptional scientist and cutting-edge researcher Jeremy was. As I worked with Jeremy more closely over time as an administrator for the large research programs that he led, I became acutely aware of the kind of leader he was, beyond his scientific brilliance. He was someone who truly cared about and advocated for the faculty, staff, fellows and students he worked with.
Jeremy was an extraordinary colleague and friend to me, as he was to so many. He encouraged me in my own research interests; he gave me life advice; he pointed me in helpful directions when I or my family had medical concerns; he invited me for meals and parties; and I was fortunate enough to travel with him to scientific conferences. Jeremy was a wonderful role model in how he thought about science and the importance of teams and multi-disciplinary connections. He lived with passion and curiosity, and it was always a bright spot in my day when I met with Jeremy. The world is a dimmer place without him. I know that all I do going forward in my career and life will be inspired by Jeremy and for that I am deeply grateful.”
Brian Buta, MHS, Project Administrator, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
“In 2015, I sent Jeremy Walston an email asking if he would be a mentor for my PhD. He replied the same day. Cheerful. Direct. He took my hesitation and replaced it with a quiet sense of belonging. I started showing up every week to the Frailty meetings. Over the years, we wrote papers together, many papers, then NIH grants. Every time I was rejected by the NIH, I turned to him for advice. In his office at Bayview, he would look at me calmly and say, “Try again, and again. You will get funded.” There was no drama in his voice. No performance. Just a man who had seen enough and mentored many. He asked about my family. He called me sometimes on weekends with clinical questions, curious about how cardiology might help us understand aging. With him, failure did not hurt as deeply. It felt like weather. Inconvenient, passing, and above all, expected.
When I passed my thesis defense, he sent a text: “Proud of you.” Three words that now live in my memory with disproportionate weight. From Jeremy I learned that persistence is not about hope. It is about repetition, habit, and accepting random outcomes without complaint. Now, when a junior colleague sends me a manuscript, I remember what he used to say. Be clear. Be useful. Get to the point. I try to answer as he did: without delay, without judgement, and always with care. I still expect to hear from him. That is the trick of death when someone lives that honestly and is dedicated to his work. Borrowing the words of a friend “he spent his time investing in and developing others”. The lessons continue. Write plainly. Try again. Invest in others. A good life, like a good sentence, carries meaning long after the speaker is gone. I will always remember Jeremy, a mentor, a friend, and a steady presence who made the world feel a little kinder, even in its most uncertain moments!”
Dr. Abdulla A. Damluji, Director & Professor, Cardiovascular Center on Aging
Staff, Interventional Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic
“I began working for Dr. Walston two years ago. What began as an incredibly nervous new venture for me, quickly became an amazing two years. Never would I have imagined what an incredible opportunity I had been given. I quickly learned what a truly kind, selfless, brilliant, funny, humble human being he was; always making me feeling seen, valued, accepted and supported. I will forever cherish and continue to share my memories of Dr. Walston, and I only wish there could have been more.”
Melanie Davis-Langkam, Senior Administrative Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
(Note: When Melanie sent the file for the lovely tribute above, it was saved as “WWJWD”—which stands for “What Would Jeremy Walston Do?” Melanie and another fan of Jeremy’s on staff actually made friendship bracelets with this acronym.)
“I first met Jeremy in 2015 while I was a PhD student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. He quickly welcomed me into the Biology of Aging working group meetings, where he modeled a remarkable and enduring example of learned humility. In a space filled with complex, cutting-edge age-related biology, he asked both basic clarifying questions and highly sophisticated ones—showing me that no question is too simple, and that even the most brilliant minds benefit from clear explanations.
Jeremy had a rare gift for distilling complicated biological systems into simple, actionable and translational insights. He continued to invite me into his world of frailty and physical resilience, ultimately inspiring me to join the frailty working group—a community I now consider one of my academic homes. My dissertation came to include frailty measurement, and he went on to co-mentor my postdoctoral training and advise me through my K23 application. My research trajectory—and career as a whole—has been deeply shaped by Jeremy’s influence.
Beyond his mentorship and scientific brilliance, Jeremy was an exceptional human. We shared a love for Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture, and a deep commitment to building a more age-friendly, inclusive world—especially for those most marginalized in our society. His light shone brightly, and I can only hope to honor the legacy of mentorship and generosity he gave so freely.”
Dr. Melissa deCardi-Hladek, Center for Equity in Aging, Center on Aging & Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
“I will miss you, Jeremy. Fond memories of our discussions about growing up in the Midwest, being fathers to two adopted boys of comparable ages, dealing with health challenges, love of geriatrics and aging research, opportunities and rewards of academic leadership, and commitment to mentoring and training the next generation of investigators in aging through the Pepper Center program, Clin-STAR and other vehicles.”
Dr. Thomas Gill, Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) and Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases) and Investigative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine
“I was often considered, proudly, as “Jeremy 2” in the Center on Aging & Health’s Frailty and Multisystem Dysregulation Working Group’s Zoom meetings. I’m so grateful to have met Dr. Walston. He inspired me as a researcher and simply as a kind human being. I rarely saw a time in which he wasn’t smiling. When he spoke to me, he spoke to me so kindly. Since I was in North Dakota, Dr. Walston often commiserated with me regarding the winters, since he spent some time in Minnesota. I could easily tell that he loved his work. His life inspires me all the more to continue the work. He will be greatly missed. And his life’s work will continue to be inspiring for aspiring researchers like me. Bless you and your family.”
Dr. Jeremy Holloway, Professor, New Mexico Highlands University
“I am deeply heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jeremy. It’s hard to put into words the sorrow I feel over losing such an extraordinary person.
I had the privilege of working with Jeremy from 2017 to 2020. He was not only one of the most inspiring and visionary leaders I’ve ever worked with in my career, but also one of the kindest human beings I’ve had the honor of knowing. His presence always brought a sense of calm, optimism, and purpose. I can still picture his warm smile and the uplifting energy he carried into every room.
One memory that remains vivid in my heart was during a Friday project meeting at the Bayview campus. Jeremy suddenly lit up with excitement as he started sharing his enthusiastic wish list for the software I was building. His passion was contagious. If I had a time machine, I would revisit that moment just to capture the joy and inspiration in his expression—a perfect reflection of the remarkable leader and human he was.
Jeremy touched many lives with his compassion, integrity, and vision. He will be missed more than words can express, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he inspired.
My deepest condolences to his loved ones, colleagues, and all who were lucky enough to know him.”
Fatih Karatay, MS, Machine Learning Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
“Dr. Walston was always incredibly kind to me and went out of his way to involve me in meaningful work and opportunities. His compassion, humility, and overall attitude toward life have deeply inspired me. I will always cherish the encouragement and generosity he showed me, and I feel honored to have learned from him.”
Ramana Kolady, Host of the Fighting Frailty Podcast, and Medical Student, University of Rochester
“I feel fortunate to have worked for Jeremy for over a decade. Our standing meetings were the highlight of my week and I fondly remember brainstorming sessions while Jeremy spelled out the plans on a white board. I will be forever grateful that I was able to support Jeremy’s vision while working on many projects. More importantly, I am grateful for the friendship and support he offered me. Jeremy was an amazing scientist and boss, and an even better human being.”
Jackie Langdon, MS, Senior Research Program Manager, Johns Hopkins University Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
“I first met Jeremy as a Hopkins geriatric fellow in 2012. During my fellowship, he was able to find the right balance between providing support for my research endeavors and pushing me to think beyond my usual way of doing things. He had an open-door policy and was always able to find time to meet with me, despite having clinical duties, numerous research grants and projects, plus administrative duties. During our meetings, I never felt rushed or dismissed because he truly listened and chose not to be distracted by e-mails or phone calls. If there was something he did not know the answer to (which was rare!), he was happy to direct me to the right person who could help.
He also embodied work-life balance, leading by example. I was continually amazed that with his busy work schedule, he was always able to find time to attend his children’s school or sporting events. He would often host dinners for our research group, doing much of the cooking himself!
Jeremy has been one of the most “successful” clinician-research mentors I have ever had, with multiple awards, continuous NIH funding, and international acclaim. Despite this, he is also one of the most down-to-earth mentors I have ever had. He has always been willing to share his experiences not only in research but in day-to-day life (usually while enjoying some tasty food!). He has taught me not only the good but also the tough aspects of research and the importance of perseverance. I am forever grateful for his guidance and will strive to continue his legacy.”
Dr. Jessica Lee, Associate Professor, Carmel Bitondo Dyer, MD, Chair in Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Medical Director, Harris Health LBJ House Call Service
“Like he was to numerous others at Hopkins and around the world, Jeremy was an extraordinary mentor and friend to me. He was the one who recruited me to Hopkins as a geriatrics fellow. I vividly remember that he came to my poster presentation at the 1999 Gerontological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting with an in-depth scientific discussion and convinced me to come back to Hopkins for a second visit after my initial fellowship interview prior to the GSA conference, and the rest is history. After the two-year fellowship training with him with my research conducted in his lab, Jeremy was the one who convinced me to stay on the faculty. He has subsequently provided tremendous mentorship and support for me to set up my own research lab and programs. Jeremy also convinced me to stay despite recruitment effort from other institutions, supported our international geriatrics development efforts towards China and philanthropic work with Milstein family, as well as facilitated the establishment of the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Immune Remodeling. In short, my entire 25+-year career at Hopkins owes to Jeremy’s tireless mentorship and support.
Jeremy was also a very close friend of mine. I remember numerous holiday parties and other gatherings in his house. He is an excellent cook. Our friendship goes to our kids. Oliver and Alex played Ping-Pong (table tennis) with my son Evan in his basement many times. Evan and I visited Jeremy after he had surgery and discharged home. I visited Jeremy at Gilchrest for the last time. I went to see him after work on Monday, and he was by himself in the room quietly and comfortably. He knew it was me and squeezed my hand with a smile on his face. While I was there, his friend Connie called him on my cell phone, and Jeremy smiled. Meanwhile, my eyes filled with tears for the entire time. These moments will stay with me for the rest of my life. Evan planned to visit Jeremy the following Saturday. But unfortunately, Jeremy passed away the following day.… Jeremy will be remembered by me and my family forever!”
Dr. Sean Leng, Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
“I join my colleagues and scientists around the world in acknowledging Jeremy Walston’s enormous contributions to the field of aging, the study of frailty, and the lives of clinicians, researchers, and patients who will all benefit from his cutting-edge and impactful work. He will be greatly missed, but the foundational discoveries he made and the people he inspired will live on and grow, leaving an enduring positive impact on the health and well-being of many generations to come.”
Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
“Some of my memories from AGS meetings as a fellow were to hear career development and mentoring talks by Jeremy Walston – often with his mentors and colleagues from Johns Hopkins. His career trajectory, research ideas and difference that he was making was enviable. He continued to be a close colleague and friend since then, exchanging research ideas and trends in the field. Besides being a fan of his work over many years, we recently served together on a Pepper Center EAB and went together to an in-person meeting. He usually likes to rent a car and gave me a ride to the airport. We drove by the countryside and had some really nice thoughtful conversations about life, family, pandemic recovery, and aging research. It seemed like we connected at a very different level. Looking back, I feel that he must have known about his illness at that time although he did not reveal to me. I am just so thankful to have known him – my life is richer as a result.
May his soul rest in peace – his memories are truly a blessing to me.”
Dr. Lona Mody, Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology. University of Michigan, School of Public Health
“Jeremy struck me as an incredibly brilliant, open-minded, generous, and passionate scientist. I will always be grateful to him for inviting my team to participate in the weekly frailty seminars and working groups. He did not even know me and he was that open! If all people—and especially our world leaders—shared Jeremy’s generosity in sharing knowledge, his care for others, and his ability to build communities of collaboration, this world would undoubtedly be a more wonderful place. I am committed to following his example.”
Dr. Blanca Restrepo, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Houston, School of Public Health
“I met Dr. Walston through my work with the Center on Innovative Medicine (CIM) at Bayview starting in 2018. At the time, he and Drs. Hellmann and Abadir were bringing people together around the idea of creating the Hopkins Human Aging Project. That venture was the focus of a CIM retreat at which Jeremy pitched it; his presentation was nothing short of inspirational, visionary, and genius. Jeremy’s sincere commitment to bringing together the great minds and resources at Johns Hopkins as stakeholders to improve health outcomes for older adults permeated the room. Through brilliantly creative innovation that interwove research, education, technology, and patient care, Jeremy saw the potential of connecting the multidisciplinary dots and resources in the region to map out a new landscape for a healthier, longer lifespan.
When I started working more closely with Jeremy through the Johns Hopkins Frailty Science team in 2020, regular program meetings allowed me to learn more about him as a person. Jeremy had a warm, engaging, friendly, and unassuming disposition. In casual conversation, he would mention his spouse and children—whom he adored—and Jeremy shared memories about growing up on the farm in Ohio. One time, he mentioned wrestling pigs. I laughed and asked him how on Earth he went from that to medicine.
Jeremy told me about Lucille Atcherson Curtis, an older lady whom he would help with chores around the house when he returned home from college—raking leaves or putting air conditioning units in the windows, etc. Jeremy truly liked and admired her. Mrs. Curtis was a trailblazer—a suffragist and the first female U.S. Foreign Service Officer. During World War I, Mrs. Curtis drove an ambulance in Paris, France. When she retired, she drove a baby blue Ford Mustang. Over time, Jeremy observed that her health was deteriorating, and that medicine at the time was not helping her age well. By contrast, Jeremy came from a family where good health and longevity were normal, and this difference in health trajectories challenged him to understand and unlock the mechanisms of aging. I believe this story about how one of Jeremy’s early heroes inspired a career in medicine reveals a genuine sense of caring, deep compassion, and steadfast dedication—all of which Jeremy applied to academic medical research and patient care for the rest of his life.
At his core, Jeremy was a kind-hearted humanitarian and a gifted scientist who made a significant, lasting difference in his field. I am grateful to have known Jeremy and to have supported his amazing work. Like many, I will miss his sparkling eyes, big bright smile, and warm laugh—and his keen mind that was always observing, thinking, and seeing possibilities. Knowing that he mentored the next generation of aging researchers at Johns Hopkins and beyond, combined with his success at creating ambitious yet practical and pragmatic projects, gives me hope that his dream of advancing medicine to extend healthier lifespans will be attainable.”
Anthony L. Teano, MLA, Communications Specialist, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology
We also want to share the following reflection written by Dr. Peter Abadir: Jeremy D. Walston, MD (1961–2025): The Road He Took Made All the Difference (published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society).
Thank you for joining us in honoring Jeremy.