Stanley L. Schrier, MD, Past President of the American Society of Hematology (ASH, 2004–2005) and Professor Emeritus of Hematology at Stanford Medicine in Palo Alto, died on August 16. He was 90 years old.
Stanley L. Schrier, MD
Instrumental to Growth at Stanford
Dr. Schrier was a 1954 graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he remained for his internship. Following this, Dr. Schrier completed further clinical training at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the University of Chicago. He started his career at Stanford University in 1959, when he became one of four members of the Division of Hematology and one of approximately 12 to 15 members of the Division of Medicine.
By 1968. Dr. Schrier was Division Chief at Stanford, a position he held until 1995. The division matured greatly during his tenure as Chief, a period during which he also pursued his own clinical and research interests in hematology with a focus on thalassemia and other red blood cell disorders.
Compassionate Physician,
Innovative Researcher
Following his retirement, Dr. Schrier assumed an emeritus faculty position and remained an active part of the Division of Medicine, Department of Hematology. He continued seeing patients in the hematology clinic up until this past July, interviewed applicants for residency and fellowship, and had an ongoing teaching and mentoring role for countless residents and fellows.
“Dr. Schrier’s contributions to the field of hematology and to Stanford Medicine are immeasurable,” said Lloyd Minor, MD, Dean of the School of Medicine. “Not only was he instrumental in developing Stanford Medicine’s Hematology Division, but he also served as a trusted physician, innovative researcher, and committed mentor. We will miss Dr. Schrier’s unique and contagious passion that inspired so many.”
Jason Gotlieb, MD, Professor of Medicine at Stanford, said of Dr. Schrier: “He liked to sit down with his patients, not stand, and maintain eye contact, maybe hold their hands. He taught us it’s okay to shed a tear as long as you show you’re going to be there with your patient through his journey.” Dr. Gotlieb added: “We can sustain his legacy by nurturing what he imbued in all of us—excellence in patient care, teaching, and scholarship.”
“We can sustain his legacy by nurturing what he imbued in all of us—excellence in patient care, teaching, and scholarship.”— Jason Gotlieb, MD
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At the time of his death, Dr. Schrier was still funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of a consortium to investigate anemia in the elderly.
Dr. Schrier is predeceased by his first wife, Peggy Schrier, who died in 2001. He is survived by their children, a son, David, and two daughters, Rachel and Leslie. Dr. Schrier is also survived by his second wife, Barbara Klein, and their grandchildren. A celebration of Dr. Schrier’s life was held earlier this month at Stanford.
