In Memory: Elliot F. Ellis, MD, FAAAAI

The AAAAI was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Elliot F. Ellis, MD, FAAAAI, who became an AAAAI member in 1962 and went on to serve as AAAAI President from 1986 to 1987. He also received the AAAAI’s Distinguished Clinician Award in 1993.

The following tribute was authored by Stanley J. Szefler, MD, FAAAAI. A more complete summary will be published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:

With the passing of Elliot Ellis on February 22, 2014, we have lost a revered clinician, scholar, educator, and most important, a man of honor and integrity. In 1966, he was appointed Chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the National Jewish Hospital and Research Center in Denver. His pioneer work on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline opened the doors to clinical pharmacology as it relates to childhood asthma. This was a major breakthrough in asthma management.

He subsequently joined the faculty of Buffalo Children's Hospital in 1974 to Head the Division of Allergy and Immunology and to serve as Director of its Clinical Research Center. He was then appointed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief in 1975 and he held these positions until 1984. From 1987 to 1992, Dr. Ellis served as Chief of both Allergy and Immunology and Clinical Pharmacology at the Nemours Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. From 1992 to 1997, he served as Medical Director of Muro Pharmaceuticals.

Throughout Dr. Ellis' professional career, he demonstrated leadership and exerted a positive influence on trainees and colleagues. He also served on the American Board of Allergy and Immunology from 1972 to 1978. As a dedicated member of the AAAAI, he was chair of several committees and was President from 1986 to 1987. Dr. Ellis was a member of the first Expert Panel of the National Asthma Education Program of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute beginning in 1988.

Dr. Ellis’s passing has left a void that will certainly be felt by his wife Kathleen; his children Michael, John, Nancy and Andrew with former wife Jann Ellis, and grandchildren. He will also be missed by his stepson, Brendan, his sister, Carole, and all his students and fellows. Dr. Ellis was definitely a unique individual and his life is a testament to the fact that one person can have a tremendous impact on the world. His research advanced science, his kindness showed us how to care for children and their families, his behavior taught us to be gracious and humble, his encouragement inspired us to do more and be more than we might have chosen.

The 2014 AAAAI Annual Meeting marked the sixteenth year of the Elliot F. Ellis Lectureship. With his passing, it also marked the first Memorial Lectureship. Donations to continue this Lectureship can be made by indicating the donation is for the Elliot F. Ellis Memorial Lectureship Fund and addressing it to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 555 E. Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3823.