Kenneth Forde, MD, 85, died of heart failure at his home in Scarborough, N.Y., June 2, the New York Times reports.
Dr. Forde increased the public's awareness of colonoscopy when he performed the procedure on news anchor Katie Couric in 2000. Ms. Couric underwent the procedure after her husband Jay Monahan, 42, died of colon cancer. Nearly 7 million viewers saw Ms. Couric's videotaped procedure, which led to a notable increase in colonoscopies.
Dr. Forde was also a noted teacher and researcher. He spent 40 years at New York City-based Columbia University's medical school, where he was the only African American member of the medical school's faculty for a period. He published more than 125 scientific papers in his career and produced several educational videotapes.
Dr. Forde is survived by his son, two grandchildren and his sister.