4 minute read
In Memoriam
Eileen Wolf, MDAugust 4, 1954 – August 11, 2024WDMS Member 1988 – 2002
Dr. Eileen Wolf, former Chief of Nephrology at Worcester City Hospital and former member of the Renal Division at St. Vincent Hospital, died on August 11, 2024, at the age of 70.
Eileen was valedictorian at Natick High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tufts University. In 1980, she graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine where she met her future husband, Dr. James Feldman.
Eileen completed her medical residency at St. Vincent Hospital. She chose the hospital in large part because of Dr. Bud Rose, who had written the primary renal textbook, Pathophysiology of Renal Disease, and served as the Chief of Nephrology at St. Vincent Hospital. Years later, Dr. Rose would create UpToDate.
As might be expected, Eileen was highly motivated to become a nephrologist. After completing her medical residency at St. Vincent, she began her nephrology fellowship at Boston University School of Medicine where her husband was, and still is, on the emergency physician staff.
Eileen was an outstanding physician and teacher. She excelled in Worcester throughout all of the hospitals in the city and at UMass Chan Medical School. Her patients adored her, and her devotion to them was the most important aspect of her career.
Eileen continued to excel in nephrology, even after she faced challenges that resulted from the development of transverse myelitis at the age of 42 as well as a progressive lung disease that ultimately took her life. Her courage and determination were always present. She had an extraordinary sense of humor that carried her through the most difficult times. After retiring from her clinical practice, she continued to speak on behalf of women in medicine and was a driver of the literacy program in the Framingham elementary schools where she volunteered, teaching math and reading.
The most important aspect of her life was Eileen’s devotion to her family and friends. In addition to her husband, she leaves two daughters, Dr. Stephanie Feldman and Dr. Hope Feldman, her son-in-law, Dr. Joshua Allen Dicker, and her two grandchildren, Vivian and Zachary.
Eileen will be missed by her family and friends and by those of us who were fortunate enough to work with her in the field of medicine.
Robert M. Black, MDFormer Chief of Nephrology, St Vincent Hospital Professor of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School
Louis Frederick Anastasia, MDOctober 7, 1935 – August 4, 2024WDMS Member 1969 – 1999
It is with sadness that I report the passing of Dr. Lou Anastasia on August 4, 2024, at the age of 89. Lou was born in Newark, NJ. He attended Georgetown University, graduating in 1956. He went directly to Georgetown Medical School, receiving his MD in 1961. He enrolled in the Boston University four-year surgical residency. This was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Navy, where Lou served as a battalion surgeon in the Marine Corps. He married Diane Doherty in 1965 and took thoracic surgical training at the University of Michigan. After this thoracic surgical fellowship, he worked as a thoracic surgeon at Boston City Hospital.
Lou came to Worcester in 1974, and together with fellow thoracic surgeon, Gerald Carroll, worked in private thoracic surgical practice until 1987. He was appointed Chief of the Medical Staff at St. Vincent Hospital from 1996 to 1998. He had an academic appointment at the UMass Chan Medical School as an assistant professor. He was a loyal and faithful member of the Worcester District Medical Society.
Lou retired in 1998, engaging in golfing and fishing on Cape Cod.
Lou will be remembered for his good humor and gentle manner. His devotion to his patients was exemplary. He was a great thoracic surgeon, and we will miss him.
Sidney P. Kadish, MD
