Erik V. Stålberg, MD, PhD
AANEM 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Dr. Erik V. Stålberg was born on April 21, 1936, just beneath the
Polar Circle in Skellefteå, Sweden. There he learned by his father’s
example that tight social networks are a must in life, which he has applied
throughout his life. Erik’s interest for biology in high school
led him to Uppsala to attend the University of Sweden. He graduated in
1963. He was granted his medical doctorate in 1966 from the Department
of Pharmacology. While working on this thesis, Dr. Jan Ekstedt and he
realized that electrophysiological methods could help them. With the help
of Dr. Fritz Buchthal’s recent multi-electrode presentation, they
later realized they had uncovered single fiber action potentials that
would later “carry him around the world and give him fantastic friends.”
In 1967 Erik joined the University Hospital in Uppsala as an associate
professor of clinical neurophysiology. In 1991 he became a professor of
clinical neurophysiology. Dr. Stålberg’s current position
is Professor and Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at
University Hospital in Uppsala—one of the most outstanding departments
in the world.
Erik has also been an active contributing member of the
AANEM since 1978. He was on the Board of Directors from 1987 through 1989.
He has been a part of numerous committees, including the Special Interest
Group, Journal, Nomenclature, Equipment and Computer, Presidential, Long
Range SIG Planning, and Course Committee. Dr. Stålberg has also
been a speaker at numerous AANEM annual meetings.
Erik Stålberg is likely the most respected clinical
and research electromyographer worldwide. He is best known for the development
of single fiber electromyography, and he has applied this technique to
learn about the physiology of the motor unit and a vast array of neuromuscular
disorders. He has also pioneered other methods such as macro-EMG, scanning-EMG
and further developed turns-analysis into a clinical technique. The amount
of papers he has published exceeds 300, and the majority is regarding
electromyography. He has been at the forefront of using computers for
the advancement of the techniques of electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Stålberg
is a superb lecturer and teacher as well as a warm human being. He has
welcomed many senior electromyographers to his department to learn state-of-the-art
methods. The friendships he has made with colleagues and students, and
the learning he sees occurring has been one of the most fulfilling aspects
of his involvement with electrodiagnostic medicine. In 1994, Dr. Stålberg
was honored with the AANEM Distinguished Research Award, the University
of Umcå, Mångbergs’s Award, and the Swedish Medical
Association Thureus Award.
When not practicing medicine, Erik enjoys reading, writing,
sailing, and taking in some of the many musical events Uppsala has to
offer.
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