Walter C. Stolov, MD
AANEM 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Dr. Walter C. Stolov was born January 6, 1928, in New York (the Bronx), NY. He received a Bachelors of Science in Physics from City College of New York in 1948 and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He then worked as a physicist at the United States (US) Naval Gun Factories during which time he was a part-time graduate studying physics at George Washington University Graduate School. Walter then realized that a career in physics required significant education so he became a full time student at the University of Minnesota. He obtained his masters degree in physics from the University of Minnesota Graduate School in 1951.

Walter then decided on a career change and he entered medical school at the University of Minnesota where he obtained his doctorate in 1956. He interned at the US Public Health Service Hospital in Baltimore and then was a resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Minnesota Hospitals from 1957 to 1960 under a National Foundation Fellowship. In 1960, Walter began his illustrious career at the University of Washington School of Medicine as an Instructor advancing to Professor in 1970. From 1967 to 1970 he served as chief of PM&R at the US Health and Human Services Hospital in Seattle, a University of Washington affiliate. He became the Director of the Electrodiagnostic Medicine (EMG) Laboratory at the University of Washington Medical Center in 1977 and held that post until 1987. While at the University of Washington, Walter established the clinical somatosensory evoked potential and surgical neuromonitoring programs. During 1971 to 1972, he took a year sabbatical to study muscle contracture with Dr. Fritz Buchthal in Copenhagen. After leaving the Director of the EMG Laboratory post in 1987, Walter became Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. He was chair until 1999.

Since joining the AANEM, he served as Chair of the Committee on EMG Instruments and Devices and Chair of the Ad Hoc Journal Search, Journal Contract, and Journal Review Committees. It was the work of the Ad Hoc Journal Search Committee that led to the selection of Muscle & Nerve as the AANEM’s official journal. Walter also served on other numerous AANEM committees including the Education, Workshop, Long Range Planning, Nominating, Evoked Potentials, and Equipment and Materials Committees. Walter also was President of the AANEM in 1987 to 1988. During his presidency the association changed its name from the American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis to the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Also during Walter’s presidency, the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM) was established. Walter most recently served as Secretary of the ABEM.

In 1987, Walter was awarded the Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). In 2001, Walter was the recipient of the AANEM’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Walter currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Walter has authored/co-authored over 100 publications in electrodiagnostic and physical medicine, as well as muscle contracture.

Walter enjoys many cultural activities such as ballet, symphony, opera, and theatre. As a child, Walter and his brothers performed sidewalk skits on the streets of New York City, and to this day he is still known for his dancing skills. In a 1990 letter to Walter from former AANEM Executive Director Ella Van Laningham, she stated that one of her warmest memories is of Walter and his wife Anita dancing around the Presidential suite in San Diego.

Currently, Walter’s wife Anita, their 3 daughters, and 3 grandchildren take center stage in his life.