An international smoking cessation expert, David Daughton changed countless lives through his smoking cessation work at UNMC. The retired pulmonary medicine researcher died Dec. 5 at age 79.
“Quitting smoking shouldn’t be a one-person battle,” Daughton said in a 2003 UNMC Today story highlighting a research-based training program for students to work with underserved patients to help them quit smoking.
Daughton retired from UNMC in 2004 after 33 years as a behavioral researcher in the pulmonology department. There, he thrived writing grants and conducting landmark research studies that contributed to the approval of nicotine gum, patches and inhalers, as well as such medications as varenicline (Chantix), Zyban and bupropion.
“Dave’s training was in behavioral intervention, and he developed tremendous skills in clinical trials,” said UNMC’s Stephen Rennard, MD, Larson Professor of Internal Medicine-Pulmonary Medicine. “He was among the pioneering investigators who medicalized the treatment of smoking cessation starting in the 1970s with Professor Irving Kass, the first chief of the UNMC pulmonary section. Dave began his work in smoking cessation with Dr. Kass and his work contributed to the approval for smoking cessation medications and helped demonstrate how these are best integrated into clinical practice.”
Daughton began studying dentistry at Creighton University but changed his interest to social work. After graduation, he taught school through the National Teacher Corps and was director of educational therapy at the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute until finding his longtime career as a behavioral researcher in the pulmonology department at UNMC, where his work ultimately helped thousands of people quit smoking.
An invited speaker throughout the United States and Europe, he co-authored more than 120 scientific articles, two books and several book chapters. He also co-developed the Human Activity Profile test, one of the most used questionnaires for functional performance evaluation in the world. The test has been translated into multiple languages, including Chinese, German, Spanish and Portuguese. After retiring from UNMC, Daughton became a paraprofessional at Burke High School helping immigrant and refugee students graduate and go on to college.
“Working with Dave was always a pleasure,” Dr. Rennard said. “He approached each day trying to make the world a better place and, in many ways, succeeding. And, equally important, by his attitude and actions, he convinced others that this was possible. When asked to rewrite his job description, as his work as a researcher had grown immensely in both scope and breadth, Dave famously replied, ‘I forgot I had a job description. I always just try to get the job done.’ ”
Daughton was highly regarded by his colleagues, which is exemplified by the UNMC College of Medicine’s Daughton Award, given annually to a non-faculty internal medicine researcher for stellar professional activities in teaching, publications or scholarly research. And although he didn’t complete a dentistry program, his dental school class honored him for being “the most successful student” at his class reunion.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter and child psychiatrist Joan Daughton, MD, who previously worked at UNMC; two granddaughters; and extended family. Visitation services will be Friday, Dec. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at West Center Chapel, followed by a time of sharing at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 11802 Pacific St. in Omaha.
Dave was a remarkable individual and researcher. We were blessed to have him at UNMC!
I am sorry to know the world is without Dave. He was amazing to work with during my days in pulmonary research. He accomplished so much and was always upbeat. I was fascinated by the different studies he conducted. His studies were always high enrolling and people were quitting smoking by the 100s. That time is what hooked me into research. He was certainly one of the good guys.
So sorry to hear this news. Dave was wonderful to work, very professional and kind. I have many happy memories working with him in the Pulmonary Clinical Studies Unit.
Dave was such a pleasure to work with — his professionalism and good humor was unmatched. I am grateful to have known him.
Dave was one of the best of the best. He was so committed to helping people to quit smoking, and he always did an awesome job of communicating this message through the media. We lost a great man. My condolences to the Daughton family.
The psychiatry department sends our condolences to the Daughton family and the UNMC community for the passing of Mr. Daughton – a pioneer in smoking cessation! I was lucky to work with his daughter, Dr. Joan Daughton, when she was at UNMC, and she continues to save lives as a child psychiatrist. Truly an inspiring family.