In Memorium
We celebrate the memory of members who are no longer with us. Your contributions to these pages are always welcome.
Jean Dausset, MD was a French immunologist. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980 along with Baruj Benacerraf and George Davis Snell for their discovery and characterization of the genes making the major histocompatibility complex. With his Nobel Prize and a grant from the French Television, Dausset was able in 1984 to create the Human Polymorphism Study Center (CEPH).
Jean Dausset passed away on Saturday, June 6th 2009 at the age of 92 in Mallorca, Spain. We will remember him as a giant and a visionary as well as a dedicated humanist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Dausset
Yehia Awadalla, M.D., Ph.D. passed away on July 9, 2008, at the age of 58. He was Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Ain Shams University School of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. He served as Director of the Tissue Typing Laboratories at King Fahad Hospital Saudi Arabia, and at Ain Shams University Medical Center. In 2001, Dr. Awadalla joined the Tissue Typing Laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as a visiting professor. His research in Histocompatibility dealt with the structural basis of HLA matching, antibody reactivity with HLA epitopes, and the role of HLA in BK virus nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients. He has presented his data at ASHI Meetings and other HLA meetings, and he authored several peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Awadalla was a member of ASHI, and he became an ASHI-certified laboratory director. Yehia received a liver transplant in 1994. Unfortunately, he experienced many medical complications that lead to his untimely death. He is survived by his wife, Gigi, and three teenaged children. We at the UPMC Tissue Typing Laboratories will miss our dear friend and colleague. René Duquesnoy, Ph.D. Norman C. Kramer Norman Clifford Kramer, 78, a kidney specialist who became an emeritus professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center, Dr. Kramer, a Washington resident, spent more than 20 years on the center’s staff before retiring in 1985. Besides his teaching duties, he was involved in clinical studies of organ donation for kidney transplants. He was the founding director of GWU’s histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory, which aided the medical center’s transplant program. During his career, he also was co-director of D.C. General Hospital’s renal clinic. After his retirement, he was director of laboratories at the Maryland Medical Laboratory Inc. in Halethorpe, Md.; what is now the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network in Allentown, Pa.; and the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan. Since 1999, he had been director of Howard University Hospital’s histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory. He was a native of the Bronx, N.Y., and a chemistry and physics graduate of the Citadel in South Carolina. He received a master’s degree in biochemistry from GWU, where he was also a 1954 graduate of the medical school. After three years in the Air Force, he did his residency at D.C. General and had a renal fellowship at GWU. He was a former board member of several medical societies and associations, including the Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a captain in 1972. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Patricia Elly Kramer of Washington; five children, Mary Virginia Custer of Burtonsville, John Kramer of Rockville, Bernard Kramer of Silver Spring, Peter Kramer of Arlington and Anne DiMarco of Adamstown, Md.; and 12 grandchildren. I have suspected it often and for a long time. Now, I’m sure: I walked and talked and worked with a giant. On August 23, 2005, we feted the life and accomplishments of Charles G. Orosz, affectionately known to everyone as “Charley,” at a memorial gathering held at the Ohio State University Medical Center. The speakers were a diverse group of 15 individuals, including a dean, distinguished immunologists, PhDs and MDs Charley had mentored, ASHI’s immediate past president, and Charley’s local “lieutenants,” which included me. What struck me most was how we all, from diverse perspectives and experiences, sounded the same broad themes that underpinned his remarkable life. DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST AND IMMUNOLOGIST PRODIGIOUS AUTHOR MENTOR COLLABORATOR DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE MISCHIEVOUS MAVERICK HAPPY FEET FRIEND CHARLEY’S CHALLENGE THE MEASURE OF THE MAN Ed. Note: Charles G. Orosz passed away Sunday, August 7, 2005. He had been ill for the past eight months. Article contributed by: The loss of a dear friend A model student and a hard worker Many happy returns to the mentor’s lab: 1973, 1975-1977, 1988-1991 Alloantigens other than HLA expressed in endothelial cells and their probable role in transplant rejection Brazilian Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (1979); Latino-American Histocompatibility Society (1981); International Histocompatibility Workshops. Bone Marrow Transplant Center (CEMO, 1984) and Solid Organ Transplant Center (PITO, 1986) in Rio ; Database of Unrelated Bone Marrow Donors in Sao Paulo , started in 1993 Brazilian Bone Marrow Registry in Rio (1998) A legacy and a memory Article contributed by:
Yehia Awadalla, M.D., Ph.D.
Physician, Kidney Specialist
died Oct. 11 at the center. He had complications from pneumonia.
Charles G. Orosz
WALKING WITH GIANTS
Charley will be recognized as ASHI’s 2005 Distinguished Scientist in Washington at the annual meeting. His development of experimental approaches to understand cellular interactions involved in graft acceptance/rejection are recognized throughout the world.
Charley’s research on the immunobiology of graft acceptance was supported for many years by the National Institutes of Health. He authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and received many honors and awards. In addition, he was associate editor for the Journal of Immunology and served on the editorial boards of seven international journals.
Charley mentored a variety of individuals at many different levels. He helped forge the professions of individuals seeking post-graduate training in transplantation immunobiology, careers in academic medicine, and clinical histocompatibility testing at both the technologist and director level. His mentoring continued well after the termination of someone’s formal training.
Whether it was a program project, meeting organizer, or the ASHI board of directors, Charley was skilled at ferreting out the very best that every player brought to the table. He coordinated everyone’s talents to work to greatest advantage on the project at hand.
Whatever Charley undertook, the goal was to execute with excellence. If it was worth doing, it was done very well. This dedication to excellence was fueled by boundless energy and an enthusiasm that was infectious.
With a glint in his eye, mirrored by the grin on his face, Charley might give vent to the rebel in his spirit. The challenge was never meant to harm, but it often threatened the status quo and always with good purpose. Those who were fortunate to work closely with Charley quickly discovered that he thought out-of-the-box. This thinking brought new ways to approach old problems. He was uniquely gifted to take ASHI’s new structure and put it to the test. He was confident and comforted to know that, despite the interruption of his active presidency since late December 2004, ASHI was still moving forward.
At the end of the day, after all the committee work, workshops, and sessions it was time for those tired, but happy feet. Charley worked hard and played hard. Who can recall an ASHI meeting without Charley’s frenzy on the dance floor coming to mind? I last saw Charley dance at his son’s wedding this past June. Although Charley was in attendance in a wheel chair, due to a painful leg infection, he got out of his chair when it came time to dance. Those happy feet demanded their moment.
No matter the context, Charley forged friendships and naturally perforated the line separating professional and personal lives. He was easy to get to know, and eagerly shared his expertise and life experiences with many stories and a broad smile stretching beneath his hallmark mustache.
Charley last addressed our membership at the annual meeting held in San Antonio on October 5, 2004. He presented his vision as our incoming president during this address. He said, “We are now entering the young adulthood of ASHI, which is characterized by an altruistic citizenship, an interest in taking our place as a recognized, contributing member of the transplant community. This period is marked by an emergence from the self interests of our adolescence, and the adoption of a clear, outward focus on the interest and needs of the various components of the transplant community.” He ends, “In short, we need to let people know that we are ready, willing and able to help them.” These words reflect the passionate commitment to excellence and service that were hallmark characteristics of Charley Orosz. They can be summarized as: We’re ASHI, and we’re here to help. That’s the challenge Charley gave us as we left the meeting and went back to our home labs and local programs.
Following their death, a very select group of individuals become larger than life. These are the heroes that we draw on for inspiration. Once in a very great while, someone comes along who is larger than life while they are with us. Charley Orosz was one of these rare giants.
Patrick Adams, CHS
J. Roberto Moraes, MD, PhD
(1944-2005)
We have said good-bye to a friend, almost a member of our family. Jose Roberto Moraes came to Dallas the first time in 1973: that is 32 years ago. When he first came to us, he stayed in our home. He played soccer with our kids. We loved him dearly and will miss him forever and so will many others who were touched by his gentle character, his friendly smile, his behavior of gentleman and scholar.
Having finished his residency in internal medicine just about when his hospital in Rio decided to start a kidney transplant program, Roberto Moraes was asked to set up the Histocompatibility Laboratory. And so he came to learn typing, screening and crossmatching in our lab. He was dedicated and hard working and tireless in his pursuit of new knowledge.
Having quickly learned the basics and after the transplant program in Rio became a reality, Roberto came back on two occasions to do research. In 1975, he was joined by his wife Maria Elisa and they both worked on related problems for two years. Roberto started his life-long interest in endothelial cell antigens and published key papers. In 1988, they came again. This time they remained for three years. The family then included three daughters.
The main topic of Roberto’s research was the investigation of antibodies against alloantigens distinct from HLA, expressed in endothelial cells and not in lymphocytes. He rapidly obtained results and the first paper appeared already in 1975. These polymorphic antigens were later found also in monocytes and in keratinocytes. Through hard work and perseverance it was established that such antibodies were correlated with early humoral rejection of kidney allografts.
Roberto was active in forming a Brazilian Histocompatibility Society and together with others, particularly Zulay Layrisse of Venezuela , founded the Latino-American Histocompatibility Society. He also participated in the International Histocompatibility Workshops and was highly regarded by members of the international community.
In subsequent years, much of Roberto’s effort went to the establishment of immunogenetic support for bone marrow transplantation in Rio de Janeiro and in Sao Paulo . He also facilitated and coordinated the distribution of donor kidneys for transplant centers in five participating hospitals.
After he visited the American National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) these efforts culminated in the development of a Brazilian Marrow Donor Registry, first in Sao Paulo and subsequently, on a much larger scale, in Rio de Janeiro.
This kind man, taken away prematurely from his family and friends, will be remembered always by his colleagues. He was liked by everyone, he was trusted and he was admired for his integrity and his contributions to our community. Farewell Roberto. We will miss you
Peter Stastny, MD
Transplantation Immunology Division
Department of Internal Medicine
UT Southwestern Medical Center