Walter Clement Alvarez: Physician • Researcher • Columnist

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) currently bestows 3 awards in honor of 3 of its members: Harold Swanberg, MD, the founder of the Association; Walter Alvarez, MD, in retirement, a nationally syndicated health columnist;; and John McGovern, MD, a philanthropist who supported initiatives in biomedical communications. However, the details of the lives of these men are unknown to most AMWA members. Accordingly, this biography describes the life and accomplishments of Walter Alvarez to recognize his achievements and to contribute to the history of the profession and of the Association.