Charles G. Orosz

WALKING WITH GIANTS

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
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.

PRODIGIOUS AUTHOR
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.

MENTOR
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.

COLLABORATOR
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.

DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE
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.

MISCHIEVOUS MAVERICK
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.

HAPPY FEET
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.

FRIEND
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’S CHALLENGE
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.

THE MEASURE OF THE MAN
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.

Ed. Note: Charles G. Orosz passed away Sunday, August 7, 2005. He had been ill for the past eight months.

Article contributed by:
Patrick Adams, CHS

J. Roberto Moraes, MD, PhD
(1944-2005)

The loss of a dear friend
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.

A model student and a hard worker
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.

Many happy returns to the mentor's lab: 1973, 1975-1977, 1988-1991
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.

Alloantigens other than HLA expressed in endothelial cells and their probable role in transplant rejection
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.

Brazilian Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (1979); Latino-American Histocompatibility Society (1981); International Histocompatibility Workshops.
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.

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
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.

Brazilian Bone Marrow Registry in Rio (1998)
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.

A legacy and a memory
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

Article contributed by:
Peter Stastny, MD
Transplantation Immunology Division
Department of Internal Medicine
UT Southwestern Medical Center