Photo Credit: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
SCDAA mourns the loss of prominent pediatric hematologist and sickle cell provider Dr. Winfred Wang, who passed away on April 9 at the age of 82. Dr. Wang practiced at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He helped to pioneer the use of hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell disease through his research, including the 2011 BABY HUG study. “I remember him presenting the BABY HUG data at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology conference in 2010,” says Dr. Crawford Strunk, SCDAA vice chief medical officer. “It was like he was giving us our marching orders. He was such a great advocate, clinician and researcher. He will surely be missed.”
SCDAA board member and former chief medical officer Dr. Lewis Hsu added, “He was quiet and humble in his leadership. He and his team were good at developing ways to explain to children and parents what hydroxyurea was doing.”
SCDAA sends our deepest condolences to Dr. Wang’s friends and family. We will remember all that he did for the sickle cell community as we honor his legacy.
