Alan R. Cohen, MD
Alan R. Cohen, MD
Physician-in-Chief, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, 2001-2013
Dr. Alan R. Cohen was the seventh person to be appointed as the Physician-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. A leader at CHOP for more than 50 years, Dr. Cohen was a pediatric chief resident when CHOP moved from the Bainbridge Street location to the University City location. He helped to organize and ensure the safe transition of 80 hospitalized children on 44 ambulances during the steady rain on June 23, 1974.
Dr. Cohen’s legacy as a leader rests on his remarkable ability throughout his career to be outstanding in all aspects of academic medicine as a consummate pediatric hematologist and caring pediatrician, a creative and highly productive clinical investigator and a dedicated and gifted teacher and mentor. His impact as a hematologist and investigator focused on research to understand the proper use and safety of iron chelation therapies. Dr. Cohen carried out innovative studies to address the major challenge of iron overload and toxicity facing transfusion-dependent children with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, which resulted in profound benefit to countless children worldwide.
Under Dr. Cohen’s leadership as Physician-in Chief and Department Chair, CHOP continued to lead the world in advancing the health care outcomes of the children we served. He valued his colleagues and established the Master Clinician Award in 2006 as his way of honoring CHOP pediatricians who provide superb care and exemplify collegiality, who take joy in their work and who go the “extra mile” for patients and families. In Dr. Cohen’s own words, “This award is designed to honor those who see the most complicated patients in the world.”
Beyond his research, Dr. Cohen had a marked impact on the field of pediatrics nationally and internationally, serving as Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Pediatrics and President of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs. Dr. Cohen’s dedication to his patients, commitment to trainees, research contributions and leadership were steadfast. CHOP is fortunate to have had his guidance and thought leadership.
References:
- Private Communication from Mortimer Poncz, M.D. to Louis. M Bell. MD on August 17, 2022.
- Cohen AR. New Advances in Iron Chelation Therapy. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2006 (1): 42–47.
- Bell, M. Images of America, The Children’s hospital of Philadelphia, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina. 2015. Page 106.
Summary:
Alan R. Cohen, MD, was a renowned hematologist who carried out innovative studies to address the major challenge of iron overload and toxicity facing transfusion-dependent children with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, which resulted in profound benefit to countless children worldwide. He played a critical role in expanding CHOP’s reputation as a world leader in pediatric clinical care, research and education. He valued his colleagues and, in 2006, established the CHOP Master Clinician Award to honor CHOP pediatricians who provide superb care and exemplify collegiality. His dedication to his patients, commitment to trainees, research contributions and leadership were steadfast. CHOP is fortunate to have had his guidance and thought leadership.