Gerald Medoff, MD

Gerald Medoff, M.D., is professor emeritus of medicine. The founder of the School of Medicine’s division of infectious diseases, he has inspired trainees over more than three decades with his commitment to clinical medicine and his love for its scientific underpinnings.

Medoff earned his undergraduate degree from New York’s Columbia College in 1958 and his medical degree from Washington University in 1962. He completed internship and residency training at New England Medical Center, Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital before joining the Washington University faculty in 1970. He rose to the rank of full professor in 1976.

Medoff began the division of infectious diseases as its lone faculty member, building it into a nationally renowned group through savvy recruiting, the creation of a leading fellowship program and the acquisition of National Institutes of Health grants for research and training. His own research in mycology forms the basis for modern clinical, basic and translational investigation in the field, and his careful studies of the mechanisms of anti-fungal agents are considered landmarks.

As a clinician, Medoff always has practiced medicine in its purest form — with care, insight and conscientiousness — listening to his patients and employing a sharp diagnostic acumen to recognize patterns. An editorial board member for peer-reviewed journals, recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award, and visiting professor and lecturer to many universities internationally, Medoff also is a widely published researcher.

Many of his trainees say that along with his distinction as researcher and clinician, Medoff always has cared most about training young people, instilling in them the desire to excel as academic physicians and setting high standards. Dedicated to fostering the careers of others, Medoff guided his students, residents and fellows to think critically and push the boundaries of current knowledge.