In Memoriam (James Wolf)
James S. Wolf, MD, professor emeritus of surgery, former director of transplantation surgery, and former associate dean for education at Northwestern University’s medical school, died on August 6 in South Carolina. He was 72.
A native of Chicago, he graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa before receiving his MD degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1961. Dr. Wolf completed a fellowship in transplantation surgery in 1966 at the Medical College of Virginia. During this time, Dr. Wolf trained under David M. Hume, MD, an early leader in the field of organ transplant surgery. From 1967â76, he served on the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1968 he was appointed chair of surgery at McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1976 Dr. Wolf joined Northwestern University Medical School as professor of surgery and chief, division of transplantation surgery, and associate dean for medical education. He also served as director of transplantation surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He retired in 1994.
Dr. Wolf founded the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network in 1986. He also played a leading role in the nationwide United Network for Organ Sharing and helped create a network to fairly distribute organs for transplants based on those with the most need. So strongly did he believe in this system that, when he was in need of a transplant of his own, he placed himself on the waiting list. He waited several months before receiving a lifesaving heart transplant in 2001.
Survivors include wife Marjorie, sons Dr. James S. Jr. and Lawrence; daughter Anneliza Itkor, and eight grandchildren. A memorial service was held September 8 at The Church of the Holy Comforter in Kenilworth.
Posted September 12, 2007
