Internationally Recognized Physician Specializing in Otology Leaves Lasting Legacy

Dr. Bill Lippy performed over 17,000 operations for the disease otosclerosis, including 2,000 revisions. His research also led to significant changes in the treatment of many patients diagnosed with otosclerosis.

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 3, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dr. Bill Lippy, an internationally recognized physician and philanthropist, passed away June 29, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Lippy, was born in Niles, Ohio in 1928. After graduating from Oberlin College, Lippy completed both medical school and his residency at The Ohio State University. In between his internship and residency, he served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon with the rank of Captain.

He began his ENT practice in Warren, Ohio in 1960 and taught at both Kent State and Case Western Universities. Dr. Lippy narrowed his specialty to Otology, performing surgery to restore hearing in patients with otosclerosis.

Having performed over 17,000 operations for the disease otosclerosis, including 2,000 revisions, Dr. Lippy's name is associated with 65 peer review scientific publications and five book chapters. Dr, Lippy is among only 12 otologists who have successfully completed The Ohio State University fellowship program. That group includes Lippy's partner in Otology at the Lippy Group, Dr. Leonard Berenholz. Together, Lippy and Berenholz produced 27 teaching videos which are used by residency programs globally.

Historically, surgeons trained to perform stapedectomies, the operation for patients diagnosed with otosclerosis, stopped operating on pilots with otosclerosis due to incapacitating vertigo upon sudden descent. As a consultant for the Israeli Air Force, Dr. Lippy discovered that by modifying the prosthesis and using a thicker vein graft, the patients could withstand a sudden pressure increase inside an altitude chamber three months post-surgery. The results led to a total change in policy by the worldwide armed forces and commercial airlines, allowing pilots having had this specific procedure to once again fly.

Dr. Lippy is also credited for his work with female patients with otosclerosis which is known to run in families. Since 1939 otologists believed that pregnancy in an otosclerotic woman would make her hearing worse. Dr. Lippy compared the hearing changes of female patients from the Orthodox community in Israel who had many children, with his female patients in the United States who also had children and otosclerosis. He found no difference, thereby eliminating the long-held correlation. Instead, his extensive research uncovered a paper written in 1939 in Nazi Germany, where a group of nine physicians and one representative of the German government made a eugenic decision resulting in aborting the 67 women in their study. The Nazi regime did not want anyone with a hereditary disease in their population. Lippy's contention was that it was the nature of this paper that had led to the long held, false equation involving childbearing otosclerotic women and their hearing.

In 2009 Dr. Lippy was honored by the Otologic Society as the outstanding otologist in the United States, a tribute awarded annually to only one individual.

Dr. Lippy was a co-founder of the Israel Tennis and Education Centers (ITEC). In 1976, Lippy was alongside Leah Rabin in Ramat Hasharon, Israel to open the first center. By 2024 ITEC had built 24 centers in primarily disadvantaged economic communities throughout the country.

Dr. Lippy was also instrumental in creating "Jump Start America." In January of 1992 with American car sales rapidly declining, Lippy dreamed up a plan to offer Americans $600 incentive to buy a car made in America. The idea caught on and ultimately, the American share of the car market jumped for the first time in 30 years.

Despite all his accomplishments, Dr. Lippy was always quick to tell you that his wonderful family was his greatest gift. The glue that held it all together was his precious Sandra, known as Safta to the grandchildren they treasured. Together they enjoyed travelling with each grandchild to a destination of their choice, taking dance, cooking, art or etiquette lessons together and even teaching them the art of investing through their stock club.

Dr. Lippy is survived by his wife, Sandra; his sister, Marjorie; his sons, David (Pam), Stephen (Sandra), Frank, and Brian (Sarah); his grandchildren, Suzanne, Sarah, Courtney, Carly, Harrison, Adam, Astrid, Teo, and Fiona; his great grandchildren; Marleigh, Hayden, Noa, Gavin, Riley, and Logan William; and his nieces and nephews, David, Ross, Bill, Ted, Tom, Dana, Daniel, and Joel.

Services will take place in the main sanctuary at B'nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton, FL on Wednesday the 3rd of July at 11am EDS.

Interment will take place immediately following services at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, 11520 State Road 7, Boynton, Beach, FL 33473 (561-737-7411).

Shiva will be observed at 7261 Queenferry Circle, Boca Raton, FL (St. Andrews Country Club) on: Wednesday and Thursday, July 3rd and 4th from 6-9pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Lippy's memory would be gratefully accepted by the Israel Tennis & Education Foundation, 3275 West Hillsboro Blvd, Suite #102, Deerfield Beach FL 33422-9410 Attention: Yoni Yair

To make an online contribution visit https://Give.ITECenters.org/Lippy

Livestream Link for Services on Wednesday July 3rd at 11am EDS

https://venue.streamspot.com/event/NDg2Nzg1Ng==

Contact: David Lippy (614) 554-9235

Media Contact

David Lippy, Effective Global Communications, 1 614-554-9236, [email protected] 

SOURCE Effective Global Communications