in 1961-1966 as an assistant professor of medicine. His research was on experimental splenic hemolytic anemia and myelodysplasia. Marriage and family In 1962, Blaisdell married Irene Hiroko Saito, RN, in Chicago, IL. with adopted Mitsunori as ring boy. The couple's only daughter, Helen Kaleleonalani Blaisdell, was born in Chicago. Eventually, the family moved back to Hawaiʻi and settled in Nuʻuanu, Oʻahu. Medical career, 1965 to 1973 In 1965, while in Chicago, Blaisdell received the national Lederle Medical Faculty Teaching Award, and thus became known to Dean Windsor Cutting, former Stanford Medical School dean and newly appointed first dean of the University of Hawaii School of Medicine. In 1966, Blaisdell became the first Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the newly established University of Hawai'i School of Medicine.1,2 He and his wife joined others in lobbying for a four-year medical school. He continued platelet atherosclerosis research. During sabbatical years, Blaisdell was a visiting professor of medicine at Rutgers Medical School in 1969 and Harvard Medical School in 1979. He served as an East-West Center medical consultant in the Trust Territory of the Pacific, 1968–1970, and as a University of Hawai'i teaching consultant on Okinawa, 1967-1974. Death Blaidell died at the age of 90 from respiratory failure in Queen's Medical Center on February 12, 2016. Awards In 1973, Blaisdell was named Ha'awi 'Ike Akea Outstanding Professor at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine.1,2 In 1974 Blaidell was named Kamehameha Schools Alumnus of the year.2 In 1975, Blaisdell received the Kaiser Teaching Award of the University of Hawai'i School of Medicine.2 In 1970-1977, Blaisdell was appointed, along with served with Mary Kawena Puku'i, to the University of Hawai'i Committee for the Preservation of Hawaiian Language, Art and Culture; in 1972-1976, a member of the University of Hawai'i Native Hawaiian Students Committee, Program and Hawaiian Scholars Program. He served on the 1986-1988 University of Hawai'i System Ka'u (Hawaiian Studies) Task Force and, in 1987-1989, as acting interim director of the then-created University of Hawai'i Center for Hawaiian Studies.2 1970 Blaisdell served on the Hui Hanai (Queen Lili'uokalanai Children's Center Auxiliary) Board of Directors, as president, 1980-1982. He worked on the Nana I ke Kumu (Look to the Source) Book Committee, 1972–1979; and Queen's Songbook Committee, 1980-1990.2 1990 Living Treasure Award. The Living Treasures of Hawaiʻi program was created by the Buddhist temple Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii to honor residents