Dale E. Hammerschmidt, MD
Dale E. Hammerschmidt, MD, passed away on April 5, seven months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Dr. Hammerschmidt received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1970 and joined the faculty in the Hematology Oncology Division in 1979. His research focused on complement activation, neutrophil biology, inflammation, and coagulation, and his involvement was critical to the work that eventually recognized the importance of complement activation and granulocytes in tissue injury. He was extremely active in bioethics related to human research, and he was often sought out to treat patients with rare disorders.
According to his obituary in The Star Tribune, “Dr. Hammerschmidt will be remembered as a caring physician, passionate scholar, and devoted teacher to many students, residents, fellows, and faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He leaves behind an indelible impression, not because of his 60s-style ponytail and long beard, but because of the breadth of his knowledge, wit as a communicator, and intelligent passion as an advocate for medical ethics.”