Simon Karpatkin, MD
Message from Chair of the Department of Medicine,
Martin J. Blaser, MD
Dear Colleagues,
I am sorry to inform you that Simon Karpatkin died this morning, on August 21, 2009. He was at home with his devoted wife, Margaret.
Dr. Karpatkin, a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brooklyn College, was an alumnus of the NYU School of Medicine, graduating in 1958. After housestaff training at Bellevue and Montefiore, he was a Fellow at Washington University in hematology (with William Harrington), and in Biochemistry (with Carl Cori). These experiences set the course for his future career. In 1964, Dr. Karpatkin returned to NYU to join the faculty of the Department of Medicine. During his 45 years on our faculty, he rose to the rank of Professor of Medicine, and served as the Director of the Division of Hematology since 1993.
First and foremost, Dr. Karpatkin was a medical scientist, exploring the biology and pathophysiology of coagulation throughout his career. His interests centered on platelets, and he made important discoveries about the causation of bleeding disorders, including his now classic work on idiopathic (now autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura. His highly acclaimed 2009 publication in Blood opens new approaches to thrombotic disorders, including stroke. Dr. Karpatkin also made important contributions as a physician, as a teacher of students and housestaff, and as a mentor for junior faculty.
Dr. Karpatkin received much recognition for his work, including his election to the American Society of Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the Interurban Club, as well as receipt of the Solomon Berson Award in Basic Science from NYU. He served as journal editor, visiting professor, and mentor to scores of trainees in both medicine and science.
Importantly, he was a generous colleague, devoted to the School of Medicine and to the Department, and to the academic tradition. He leaves behind an outstanding legacy of pioneering in medical science, former trainees in all parts of the world, and a large group of colleagues who could count him as one of their friends. He will be deeply missed.
Sincerely,
Martin J. Blaser, MD
Chair, Department of Medicine
NYU School of Medicine
| Eulogy by William Williams, MD Dean Emeritus Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus Upstate Medical University State University of New York |
Eulogy by Martin J. Blaser, MD Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine Chair, Department of Medicine Professor of Microbiology NYU Langone Medical Center |
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| Eulogy by Edward L. Amorosi, MD Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Hematology NYU Langone Medical Center |
Eulogy by Lawrence B. Gardner, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology; Hematology Division Director (Acting), NYU Langone Medical Center |
