In Memoriam: Ronald G. Strauss, MD

Ronald G. Strauss, MD, a distinguished transfusion medicine physician who began his career as a pediatric hematologist and whose work advanced neonatal transfusion practice and blood banking practices, died March 17. He was 86.

During a career spanning more than four decades, Strauss made significant contributions to pediatric transfusion medicine, particularly in the care of premature and critically ill infants. His research helped define approaches to the management of anemia of prematurity, including strategies to reduce donor exposure and optimize red blood cell transfusion practices, and the treatment of other cytopenias.

Strauss was a prolific researcher and educator, authoring more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and 100 book chapters. His work addressed a wide range of topics in transfusion medicine and immunohematology, including red blood cell storage, antibody detection and the clinical application of laboratory testing to support safe and effective transfusion practice. His laboratory and clinical investigations were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, where he also served as grant reviewer and workshop chair.

He also made important contributions to the study of granulocyte transfusion and neutrophil biology, helping to clarify the role of granulocyte therapy in the management of severe infections in neutropenic patients.

Strauss spent much of his academic career at the University of Iowa, where he was a professor of pediatrics and pathology and professor emeritus upon retirement. He also served in leadership roles in the blood center community, including as a medical director of LifeSource (now Vitalant).

Throughout his career, Strauss helped train generations of physicians in transfusion medicine and pediatric hematology. His contributions to the field were recognized with numerous honors, including AABB’s Emily Cooley Memorial Award.