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The Office Actor Mark York’s Cause of Death Clarified

Actor Mark York, known for his role in seasons one and two of NBC’s comedy series “The Office,” passed away on May 19th, 2021.

His obituary mentioned that York experienced a “brief and unexpected illness” before his death. While specific details of his illness weren’t initially provided, York’s father informed TMZ that the cause of death was linked to an unforeseen bodily infection.

In “The Office,” York portrayed Billy Merchant. Both York and his character were paraplegic, and his portrayal helped raise awareness about the representation of individuals in wheelchairs in media.

During a 2010 interview with People, York discussed how fans connected with his character, highlighting the challenges faced by employees with disabilities. The obituary from Kreitzer Funeral Home described him as having an “outgoing, uplifting, positive attitude” despite being paraplegic since 1988.

York’s Passion for Spinal Cord Injury Research

Spine on white background

According to York’s website biography, a near-fatal car accident significantly impacted his life, inspiring his academic, acting, and philanthropic pursuits. Recently, his interests included inventing, and he held two patents.

York was also recognized for his commitment to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. He supported research organizations and frequently met with lawmakers to advocate for individuals with disabilities (via the New York Times).

Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the spinal cord or its nerves, affecting various body functions, including range of motion and sensations (via the Mayo Clinic). Currently, reversing spinal cord damage is not possible.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that approximately 450,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries (SCI), with around 17,000 new cases each year (via American Association of Neurological Surgeons). Experts recommend precautions to prevent permanent spinal damage, such as wearing seatbelts, using helmets or protective gear in sports, and being cautious of water depth when swimming to avoid injury (via Healthline).

See Also:  Ed Asner's Cause of Death Clarified

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Jan Baxter
Jan Baxter

Introducing Professor Jan Baxter, Director of NCPIC

Qualifications

BSc (Psych) (Hons), PhD, MAPS.

Experience

Jan is the founding Professor and Director of the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) at the University of NSW. She has a strong national and international reputation as a leading researcher in the development of brief interventions for cannabis related problems. She has also developed major programs of research in the development of treatment outcome monitoring systems; development of treatment models for substance dependent women; and aspects of psychostimulants.

Memberships

Jan works with a number of community based agencies on service evaluations and executive management. She is currently supervising a number of doctoral students at NCPIC. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Association, Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Drugs, and the US College on Problems of Drug Dependence where she serves as the Chair of their International Research Committee. She is on the Editorial Board of a number of international journals and is an Associate Editor of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

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