RenΓ©e Habib, MD, 1924β2009
RenΓ©e Habib, one of the giants of Pediatric Nephrology, died on December 4,
2009, in Paris, France. Throughout her professional life as a physician and
scientist, Mme. Habib demonstrated extraordinary insight and understanding
regarding the pathology of kidney diseases and contributed to significant
advances in the treatment of different disorders. Beyond her exceptional
scientific contributions, however, she was also an outstanding teacher and
mentor, devoted to training the next generation of clinicians and investigators
across the globe. On a personal note, I had the great privilege and honor of
working with and learning from her and she was one of my most influential
mentors. Mme. Habib was instrumental in the establishment of Pediatric
Nephrology as a discipline in scientific communities and institutions worldwide,
and she touched the lives of countless faculty, students, and investigators,
directly and indirectly, in her tireless efforts to expand the research scope
and number of pediatric nephrologists internationally.
Mme. Habib was born August 26, 1924, in Casablanca, Morocco. She left Morocco
after high school to pursue her university studies at the Faculty of Medicine of
Paris, where she enrolled at the close of World War II, in October 1945.
Certified in both Hematology (1950) and Pathology (1951), Mme. Habib received
her Doctor of Medicine in 1954 with a thesis on renal polyarteritis nodosa.
Intellectually gifted and scientifically innovative, she embarked on what proved
a consistently groundbreaking research career in the field now known as
Nephropathology. Through close collaboration with the Pediatric Nephrology
Department at the Enfants Malades Hospital and with the Adult Renal Unit at the
Necker Hospital in Paris, Mme. Habib studied thousands of patients with various
nephropathologies, which enabled her to develop and propose an original
classification of glomerular nephropathologies based on disease morphology. Her
classification scheme is a classic body of work that is still accepted by all
nephrologists and nephropathologists worldwide and has led to numerous advances
in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple renal disorders. Having trained
hundreds of physicians who for over four decades flocked to her laboratories
from across the globe, many moving on to their own distinguished research
careers and contributing to the worldwide dissemination of her concepts and
methods, Mme. Habib was the creator and driving force of the "French School" of
renal pathology.
Pediatric Nephrology has lost one its founders but she will remain a seminal
figure in the scientific history and progress of our discipline. Her legacy will
be appreciated and admired for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Isidro Salusky, M.D.
Dr. Ruth Kirschstein died on October 7, 2009
We are all deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Ruth Kirschstein's
death last evening. She died peacefully, after battling a long
illness. Our hearts go out to Ruth's husband, Dr. Al Rabson, and
their son, Dr. Arnold Rabson.
Ruth embodied the spirit of the NIH. She was an icon. She was
loved and admired by so many at the NIH, across the medical
research community, among hundreds of members of Congress, and
around the world. Knowing Ruth, she would cringe if she heard us
praise her--modesty was one of her strongest suits. Dr.
Kirschstein couldn't, however, argue with the facts about her
service to the NIH that spanned more than 50 years. She was the
first female Director of an NIH Institute, NIGMS. She was the
Deputy Director of the NIH, acting NIH Director, and senior
advisor to multiple NIH Directors. There are few at the NIH who
have not been touched by her warmth, wisdom, interest, and
mentorship.
She worked diligently on breaking the mystery of polio and
developing the Sabin vaccine. Her many other accomplishments are
too numerous to list. We will have an opportunity for the NIH
family to pay tribute, reflecting upon the life and lessons of
one of our greatest leaders, according to her and her family's
wishes, at a future date.
Ruth worked up to her last days. Last week, in fact, I was on a
conference call with her, and her insightful contribution made
it clear she had not missed a beat.
I know I speak for all of the NIH and our entire community, when
I say that the world has lost one of its dearest, most dedicated
public servants, one with a huge heart and brilliant mind. We
will miss her always.
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.,
Director, NIH
Shane Roy III, 73, of Memphis, TN died on March 27, 2009
I am sad to inform you that Dr. Shane Roy, my friend and my
partner of almost 20 years, has passed away. Shane became the first pediatric
nephrologist to practice in Tennessee with his appointment in 1968 as assistant
professor at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Shane was the consummate
teacher and clinician. He participated in the International Study of Kidney
Disease in Childhood and was one of the initial participants in NAPRTCS. Shane
had a strong interest in post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis and over
many years made important contributions to that literature. In 1979, with Billy
Arant, Shane discovered that chloride-deficient soy based formula was
responsible for an epidemic of infantile metabolic alkalosis. This led to the
passage of the Infant Formula Act of 1980. With Bruder Stapleton, Shane made the
initial observations about the association of hematuria, hypercalciuria and
stones in children. In 2000, Shane Roy received the Henry L. Barnett award from
the AAP Section on Nephrology.
Shane is survived by his wife Mary Kay Roy, who has known him
since she was 7 years old and by their daughter, Michele (Micki) Roy.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Pediatric
Nephrology Research Fund, UTHSC Development Office, Suite 500, 62 S. Dunlap,
Memphis, TN 38163 or to a charity of oneβs choice.
Sincerely,
Robert Wyatt
Robert J. Wyatt, M.D., M.S.
Chief, Division of Pediatric Nephrology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN 38103
Dr. Jay Bernstein, 81, of West Bloomfield, MI, died on February
26, 2009
Dear ASPN Community:
It is with great sorrow, I wish to
inform our community of the passing of
Dr. Jay Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein was an
internationally renowned renal
pathologist who was instrumental in his
contributions to pediatric nephrology.
He had numerous publications and book
chapters and was instrumental in his
work with the International Study of
Kidney Diseases in Children and
contributions to the field of cystic
renal disease.
Dr. Bernstein is survived by his wife,
Carol, their sons John and Michael, and
two grandsons.
It is suggested that those who wish to
further honor the memory of Dr. Jay
Bernstein may do so by making a
contribution to:
Doctors Without Borders
P.O. Box 1856
Merrifield, VA 22116-8056
or
A Charity of Your Choice
Thank you,
Rudy Valentini
Rudolph P. Valentini, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Director of Dialysis Services
Vice Chief of Staff
Children's Hospital of Michigan
