Elias Schwartz, MD
Physician-in Chief, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 1990-1996
Elias Schwartz, MD, was a pediatric hematologist and served as Physician-in-Chief at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania from 1990 to 1996. Prior to assuming these roles, he served as Chief of the Division of Hematology at CHOP and established a focus on hemoglobinopathies, with particular emphasis on sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
Dr. Schwartz had limitless intellectual curiosity, which made him a superb scientist with a constant stream of novel ideas. He had an impressive research portfolio that included both clinical and basic research and ranged from clinical studies examining the effect of low-dose aspirin on vaso-occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease to basic studies, such as characterization of gene regulation.
Dr. Schwartz’s research was driven by his commitment to his patients and to training and mentoring future physician scientists. To support the career development of pediatric subspecialists, he established a robust training environment and a strong culture of mentorship. He also forged relationships with the graduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania. During his tenure as Physician-in-Chief and Department Chair, he continued to support CHOP’s mission, including a focus on compassionate care for children, high impact child health research and innovative medical education.
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Summary:
Eli Schwartz, MD was an accomplished hematologist who made major advances in our understanding of hemoglobinopathies, with particular emphasis on sickle cell disease and thalassemia. During his tenure as Physician-in-Chief and Department Chair, he demonstrated strong support for CHOP’s clinical and academic missions, with an intense dedication to training the next generation of pediatric subspecialists. We are indebted to Dr. Schwartz for sustaining and supporting CHOP’s focus on compassionate care for children, high impact child health research and innovative medical education.