Michigan lost one of it’s most celebrated and beloved pathologists last week as Dr. Bertram Schnitzer passed away at the age of 90.
Dr. Schnitzer was born on June 21, 1929, in Germany. In 1941 his family emigrated to the United States. He grew up in New Jersey and received his BA from New York University in 1952, then attended medical school at the University of Basel and graduated in 1958. He completed an internship at Baltimore City Hospital from 1958-59, followed by a residency in pathology at Georgetown University where he was the Chief Resident from 1961-1963 and was an NCI trainee and NIH Fellow from 1963-66. He started his career in 1963 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. A. James French recruited him to the University of Michigan in 1966 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1970 and Professor in 1974.
Dr. Schnitzer was an internationally known leader in the fields of hematology and hematopathology. In 1976, he received the first International Giovanni di Guglielmo Prize in Hematology. He was known for his electron microscopy studies and had important publications in Science and other prestigious journals. He was President of the Society for Hematopathology in 1990. A prolific lecturer, he presented over 140 courses, lectures, and workshops worldwide. He served on many expert review panels and editorial boards. Dr. Schnitzer loved teaching and mentored countless residents and fellows and took great pride in his trainees, many of whom have leadership roles throughout the country.
He truly loved lymphomas and could often be found helping other faculty members with their difficult cases, bringing a smile and a cheerful attitude every day. Dr. Peter Ward, former Chair of Pathology, remembers him fondly, "As Chair, I developed great respect for Bert's awesome diagnostic skills. I was always impressed with his keen mentoring of Pathology residents and postdoctoral fellows, and his quiet and unassuming personality. He never boasted of his accomplishments, but was very pleased with the residents and fellows he had trained. Although at times he must have experienced frustrations, I never heard him complain or raise his voice. He always seemed extremely even-handed. I will miss him greatly." After an impactful 51 years of service at the University of Michigan, he retired in 2017.
Dr. Schnitzer had many interests outside of medicine and raised three sons in Ann Arbor with his wife, Anna Schnitzer. Dr. Henry Appelman remembers Dr. Schnitzer "as a kind, gentle guy who never lost his temper and who was committed to his work and equally committed to his family." In midlife, he was an avid runner, completing dozens of marathons. In later years, he could be found swimming at the YMCA as soon as the doors opened each morning. He loved to walk the streets of downtown Ann Arbor and frequent the coffee shops with his wife.
Dr. Schnitzer was a wonderful mentor and colleague who will be missed by his many friends within the Department and around the world. To share a memory, please visit dignitymemorial.com.
ON THE COVER
Breast team reviewing a patient's slide. (From left to right) Ghassan Allo, Fellow; Laura Walters, Clinical Lecturer; Celina Kleer, Professor. See Article 2014Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Autopsy Technician draws blood while working in the Wayne County morgue. See Article 2016Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article 2017Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Director of the Neuropathology Fellowship, Dr. Sandra Camelo-Piragua serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. 2018Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. 2019Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. 2020Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. 2021Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. 2022Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
(Left to Right) Drs. Angela Wu, Laura Lamps, and Maria Westerhoff. 2023Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Illustration representing the various machines and processing used within our labs. 2024Department Chair |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.