September 18 1947 May 29 2019
Eric L. Michelson, M.D. September 18, 1947 – May 29, 2019 Share this obituary Upload Photo| View/Sign Guest Book| Send Sympathy Card Eric L. Michelson, M.D., of Haverford, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at age 71. Eric excelled in all of the pursuits that he undertook in his life. However, his greatest roles by far were as a father to his two daughters, Melissa (Matthew) Lyster, and Michelle Michelson, and as a fun-loving GPA to his grandson Collin Lyster. Eric was a quintessential son and brother and will be missed greatly by his loving mother, Ellin Karlin Blumenthal, of Philadelphia, as well as by his brothers, Gary K. Michelson, M.D., of Los Angeles, and Mark Michelson, Esq., of Miami. His father, Norman Michelson, of Florida, his stepfather, Bernhard Blumenthal, of Philadelphia, and his brother, Larry K. Michelson, of State College, Pennsylvania, preceded him in death. Eric had a storied professional career, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in molecular biology. He then attended Columbia University Medical School, in New York, where he obtained his medical doctor degree in 1973. He then went on as an internal medicine intern and resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and then proceeded with advanced training in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. In 1979, he joined Leonard Dreifus at the Lankenau Hospital and Medical Research Center as the Chief of the Clinical Research Unit. In 1988, Dr. Michelson moved to the Likoff Cardiovascular Institute of Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he directed the Division of Cardiology and the Cardiology Fellowship. During his tenures at Lankenau and Hahnemann, Dr. Michelson authored or co-authored over 150 original papers, and peer reviewed medical and scientific journals as well as 155 reviews, chapters, monographs, and editorials. He co-edited several textbooks and was an invited lecturer at continuing medical education programs around the world. Following his successful academic career, Dr. Michelson decided to extend his career in the world of pharmaceutical research. He became a Senior Director of Clinical Research at Astra Zeneca in 1995 and remained in that position until his retirement. During that tenure, Dr. Michelson was responsible for the development of several important pharmaceutical products for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. He supervised global research at prestigious medical centers and his work culminated in the approval of several drugs to treat circulatory disorders. Dr. Michelson was able to translate basic scientific information into clinically important research projects that resulted in meaningful improvements in cardiovascular therapeutics. Hundreds of thousands of patients are indebted to Dr. Michelson for the work that he carried out during his academic career and in industry. Dr. Michelson was an acclaimed teacher who provided educational programs for students, house staff, as well as physicians in practice, to help them care for patients whom he cared about so deeply. Two things that Eric firmly believed in were existentialism and synchronicity. In the week prior to his passing, Eric attended his 50th Reunion at the University of Pennsylvania. In the 50th Reunion booklet, Eric wrote what he would want the world to know about him: “By traditional markers of achievement, I am grateful every day with what I have done, do and still strive to do, personally and professionally. I am fortunate to have 2 awesome, amazing, beautiful, loving and loved adult daughters, Melissa and Michelle, who are thriving, and thanks to Melissa, the additional gift of son-in-law Matt, and now 5 year old grandson Collin. Professionally, I still enjoy contributing to advancing medical science and practice in multifaceted endeavors variously involving basic clinic studies, author/co-authorships of many articles and texts, academic appointments and professorships, teaching, mentoring, editorial boards, professional organizations and public health consortia, most related to my primary education and training as a tertiary care cardiologist with expertise in several subspecialty disciplines.” Everyone who knew Eric would agree that there are not enough words in the dictionary to describe just how exemplary an individual he truly was. He was uncommonly selfless, wholeheartedly supportive, always thoughtful, caring, generous, kind, loving, brilliant, loyal, energetic, health-conscious, fun, handsome, and youthful father, GPA, father-in-law, son, uncle, Horse Dad, and Dog Dad. Eric will be missed greatly. The world will not shine quite as bright without his big smile and loving heart. In Eric’s honor, donations can be made to The Lankenau Medical Center Foundation in support of cardiovascular research, Attn: Donna Simonds, 100 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 356 MOB East, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Print Obituary
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eric L Michelson D September 18 1947 May 29 2019.
McConaghy William C Ltd Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Ardmore, state: Pennsylvania