In Memoriam (Bernard Mirkin)
Bernard L. Mirkin, PhD, MD, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine and founding director of the Children’s Memorial Research Center, died suddenly on August 13. He was 79.
A native of Bronx, New York, he received his undergraduate degree from New York University, an MD degree from the University of Minnesota, and a PhD degree in pharmacology from Yale University. He served in the U.S. Medical Service Corps and completed fellowships with the Ford Foundation and Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Prior to joining Northwestern and Children’s Memorial Hospital (CMH) in 1989, Dr. Mirkin had served on the faculty at the University of Minnesota.
In a joint statement, CMH President and CEO Patrick M. Magoon and research center President and Scientific Director Mary J.C. Hendrix, PhD, commented, “Under Dr. Mirkin’s leadership, our research center became one of the nation’s leading pediatric research entities attracting scientists whose work significantly advances the development of cures for diseases of children.”
Dr. Mirkin, who also held CMH’s William J. Swartchild Jr. Distinguished Chair in Research, made advances in his fields of neuroblastoma research and clinical and developmental pharmacology. In recognition of his service and achievements, CMH honored Dr. Mirkin in 2001 by establishing a research scholar position in his name.
Survivors include wife Sarah; daughters Lisa Fossa, Mara Mirkin, Jennifer Solotaroff, and Rachel Solotaroff; son Jacob Solotaroff; grandchildren Talia, Elena, Peter, and Esther; and sister Sonia Roberts.
A memorial service will be held at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Children’s Memorial Foundation, Attn: Florence Green, 2300 Children’s Plaza, Box 4, Chicago, IL 60614. In the check’s comments section, please write “Nyansha HIV/AIDS Project.”
Posted August 28, 2007
