Dear colleagues,
I am deeply saddened about the passing of our esteemed colleague and fellow International Journal of Eating Disorders board member, professor emeritus Joel Yager, MD, whose contributions to and legacy in the field of eating disorders, and psychiatry more broadly, cannot be overstated. Dr. Yager (“Joel” to all who knew him) died after a prolonged period of severe illness on December 22, 2024.
Joel was a prolific scholar whose hundreds of publications covered a dizzying array of topics from describing various psychopathologies (including, of course, eating disorders) to clinical practice guidelines to ethical dilemmas to concerns about training medical students and more. You likely are well-familiar with his storied accomplishments in our field, including serving as president of the Academy for Eating Disorders. His contributions to psychiatry were recognized with awards including Lifetime Achievement Award, Association for Academic Psychiatry; Marvin Miller Lifetime Achievement Award, American Association for Technology in Psychiatry; Inaugural Distinguished Life Fellow, Association for Academic Psychiatry; Lifetime Achievement Award, National Eating Disorders Association; Special Presidential Commendation Award, American Psychiatric Association; and Distinguished Service Award, American Psychiatric Association.
I will remember Joel as a gentle giant. He believed in the innate goodness of people and in our capacity to be our best selves when given the chance. Every interaction was, for Joel, an opportunity to enact these beliefs. He greeted you with a broad smile, lavished you with undivided attention, and encouraged you with his optimism and sage advice. Joel believed in the power of purpose and by example showed us what it means to find purpose in life. Testaments to his characteristic wit and wisdom when identifying, analyzing, and offering common sense solutions to complex problems may be found as far back as his 1974 essay entitled “Survival Guide for Psychiatric Residents.” He kept on writing even in his waning years, fascinated and unperturbed by complexity. Joel cared deeply not only about his family and those whose well-being was entrusted to him (his students, fellows, and patients), but his colleagues, neighbors, and even complete strangers. All the way to the end, he made it his business to lift burdens from others and spread kindness and love. I encourage you to read his inspiring essay, “Someone has to be Around to put out the Lights.”
Joel was a trusted and beloved colleague. He was a blessing to those of us fortunate to know him.
My heart goes out to all who loved Joel.
With best regards,
Ruth
Ruth Striegel Weissman, Dipl. Psych., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Emerita, Wesleyan University
Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Eating Disorders