National Osteoporosis Foundation Remembers Lawrence G. Raisz, MD

WASHINGTON, DC (August 26, 2010) - The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) mourns the passing of Lawrence G. Raisz, MD, long time member of the NOF Board of Trustees, who served as the NOF Vice President until the time of his death. Dr. Raisz's service to NOF was extensive. He played a critical role in the organization from its inception; first as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and subsequently as a member of the Board of Trustees. While serving as Vice President, Dr. Raisz also chaired the Science and Research Committee continuing to bring his leadership to his colleagues and peers.

Dr. Raisz's passion, commitment and generosity infused NOF with strategic direction and focus. His unwavering dedication to scientific excellence and patient care helped shape NOF's mission, programs of outreach and educational resources. The investments that Dr. Raisz made in the next generation of physician-scientists will ensure the growth and success of a field to which Dr. Raisz dedicated his life. Members of the Board of Trustees and NOF staff feel honored to have worked alongside him and to have learned from him.

"As one of the preeminent global experts in the management of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease in the world, Larry was a key thought-leader whose search for knowledge has inspired so many in our field. His accomplishments undoubtedly improved the lives of countless patients," said Robert Recker, MD, NOF President. "Larry's warmth, humor and knack for vivid storytelling will be missed by all who knew him."

Below is a statement written by the family of Lawrence G. Raisz, MD:

Lawrence Gideon Raisz, MD, 84, a national and international leader in the field of bone health, died of stomach cancer on August 25, 2010, at his home in Farmington, CT. Dr. Raisz was the Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He was born on November 13, 1925, in New York City, NY, and grew up in Cambridge, MA. He received an MD degree from Harvard Medical School and did postgraduate training at the Boston City and Boston VA Hospitals. He held faculty positions at New York University, Boston University, the State University of New York at Syracuse and the University of Rochester prior to his arrival at the Health Center. From 1974 to 1997, Dr. Raisz served as Head of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Health Center. He was the driving force to establish the Lowell P. Weicker, Jr General Clinical Research Center and became its first Program Director in 1993, a position he maintained for nine years. He was Director of the University of Connecticut Center for Osteoporosis and in 2005, he became the first Program Director of the New England Musculoskeletal Institute.

Dr. Raisz was a preeminent leader, researcher, mentor, teacher and clinician in the field of bone and mineral metabolism for over 50 years. During his illustrious career, his research program on the mechanisms of bone gain and loss and the pathogenesis of osteoporosis received continuous support from the National Institutes of Health. He was the author of over 450 scholarly works in the field and a co-editor of the textbook "Principles of Bone Biology," now in its third edition. Dr. Raisz mentored over 100 students, postdoctoral trainees, clinical fellows and faculty members. His trainees are leaders in basic and clinical research in academia and the pharmaceutical industry as well as practicing endocrinologists throughout the world.

Dr. Raisz's achievements as a leader in the field of bone health are renowned. He was a founding member of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and served as its second President. He was the first Editor-in-Chief of the highly regarded Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. He served as a member of the first Scientific Advisory Board of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. As Chair of the National Osteoporosis Foundation Education Committee from 1986 to 1999, he and his committee members worked hard to increase the awareness of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases among physicians and the lay public. Subsequently, he was appointed as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and a member of Board of Trustees of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In 2004, he served as the Scientific Editor of the United States Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis and played a key role in the development and implementation of a National Action Plan for Bone Health. Dr. Raisz served on the editorial boards of many journals and was a charter member and Chair of the General Medicine B Study Section of the National Institutes of Health. Throughout his career, Dr. Raisz received numerous prestigious awards, including the William F. Neuman Award for outstanding scientific contributions, the Shirley Hohl Award for service and the Gideon A. Rodan Award for excellence in mentoring, all from the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research. Most recently, he received the Legends of Osteoporosis Award from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

As a researcher, teacher and clinician, Dr. Raisz epitomized the ideals of the physician-scientist. It was fitting that in 2003, Dr. Raisz was the first recipient of the Board of Director's Faculty Recognition Award honoring him for "his medical intelligence, his academic contributions and scholarship, and his altruism and superb mentorship of trainees – the core components of the consummate medical professional." On April 10, 2010, Dr. Raisz was the honoree of the Health Center's first "White Coat Gala" to celebrate and support clinician-scientists.

Dr. Raisz is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen, his five children Pancaratna, Matthew, Jonathan, Katherine and Nicholas, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family acknowledges the great skill and compassion of his caregivers, Drs. Lynn Kosowicz and Upendra Hegde, and the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, enabling him to work and interact with his friends and family until his death. Donations may be made in memory of Dr. Raisz to the Lawrence G. Raisz Fund for Musculoskeletal Research & Education. Please make checks payable to: The UConn Foundation, Inc, and forward to the following address: 10 Talcott Notch Road, Suite 100, Farmington, CT 06032.

About the National Osteoporosis Foundation

Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a leading community-focused health organization, is dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation, visit www.nof.org.