The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Morris Reichlin, M.D. Inducted 2000 - Class of 1951
Dr. Morris Reichlin is renowned as a pioneer researcher in autoimmune diseases, with national and international prominence. His "Curriculum Vitae" is 32 pages long! But there are far more than 32 reasons why Morris belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Morris grew up at 1341 Moore Street between Mulberry and Stickney. He attended Spring Elementary School. His Woodward "buddies" included Leon Schwartz, Larry Haddad, Hal Van Tassell and fellow Hall of Famer Jameel Farah. His friends called him "Wiggles", "which had something to do with some moves I had in basketball."
When asked to describe an important or humorous thing that happened to him at WHS, his response was "Who can remember?" . . . Ah, a man after our own hearts! But he hasn't forgotten GRADUATION, his favorite memory of Woodward.
Marie Ersig, another Hall of Fame inductee, was Morris' favorite teacher. He worked closely with her on the Tattler.
After leaving Woodward, Morris began a rigorous academic program leading to a prominent career in medicine. In 1955, he graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri with a BA in Chemistry and qualified for Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.D. degree in 1959, with academic recognition by Alpha Omega Alpha.
Morris received his clinical training at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), where he interned in Internal Medicine from 1959-1960. He was an Assistant Resident at the same hospital in 1960-1961. Laboratory training followed. Morris was a Research Assistant at Brandeis University in the Graduate Department of Biochemistry from 1961-1963. For the next year following, Morris was a Postdoctoral Fellow of the NIH in Biochemistry at the University of Rome, Italy.
During the period from September, 1964 to July, 1999, Morris has been awarded eleven appointments, beginning with the position of Instructor in Experimental Medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine to his most recent appointment as Scientific Director and Vice President of Research at Oklahoma Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During this 35-yearspan, Morris has also held the positions of Assistant Professor of Medicine (Experimental Medicine); Assistant Professor; Assistant Professor of Medicine; Research Associate Professor of Biochemistry; Research Professor of Biochemistry and Professor of Medicine; Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy); Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Immunology Section; Member, Arthritis and Immunology Laboratory; Head, Clinical Immunology Laboratory; and Member and Head, Arthritic and Immunology Laboratory. These positions have been held at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, College of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Morris' current position as Scientific Director of the Oklahoma Research Foundation follows a twenty-year period, during which he headed the Foundation’s Arthritis and Immunology Research Program. Morris is prominent in medical and scientific circles for his research into arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune disorders. He developed the definitive diagnostic test for Lupus, which is commonly referred to as the "Reichlin profile."
Morris is the "Principal Investigator" on three currently funded grants. They are in the areas of Immunological Mechanisms of Nephritis in Childhood, Immunological Training in Rheumatology and Dermatology, and planning for a multipurpose clinical research center. Since 1977, he has served on thirty-three national and local committees, medical advisory boards, task forces and study sections in his areas of interest and specialty. He chaired seven of these groups.
Morris is sought after as a lecturer. Since 1984, he has been invited to lecture 139 times at various universities, medical schools, corporations, medical foundations, hospitals, conferences and associations. Morris is also widely published, with 293 articles listed on his bibliography. He has also served on 12 Editorial Review Committees.
Morris has been a member of the American Federation of Clinical Research, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology ,American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Biological Chemists and American Association of Physicians.
Morris has been recognized with several prestigious awards. He received the Aesculapian Award for Teaching Excellence in Clinical Sciences at Oklahoma University Medical School in 1993. In 1996, the American College of Rheumatology gave Morris its Distinguished Investigator Award. In 1999, he was the recipient of the Lee C. Howley, Sr. Prize presented by The National Arthritis Association. He also was named a "Master" of the American College of Rheumatology. Other awards include the Edgar W. Young Lifetime Achievement Award (twice),Bunim Medal for Distinction in Arthritis Research (1987); and the Michael Einbender Distinguished Lectureship in Medical Research in Lupus (1982).
Morris married Marianne Wolfson in 1958. They have two children, Michele Elise, 39 and Herschel Paul, 36. He has one grandchild, Gabriela, age 4.One would think Morris has little leisure time. But he does make time to pursue hobbies: reading and listening to music. He enjoys playing tennis and skiing. Morris and Marianne travel a great deal.
Morris states he was "flattered" to be elected to the Hall of Fame. We are flattered that Morris and Marianne were able to join us tonight. Congratulations on being a member of the Year 2000 Hall of Famers!