 Robert H. Schwartz, M.D.
(Retired)
Dr. Schwartz is an alumnus of PS
#138 (1949), Midwood High School (1953), Dartmouth College (1957), and the University
of Rochester (1962). After an internship/residency in Medicine and Pediatrics
at Strong Memorial Hospital (1962-1964), he became an NIH clinical associate (1964-1966),
conducting clinical research and caring for infants, children, and young adults
with cystic fibrosis. He completed Pediatric residency at Babies Hospital in New
York City (1966-1967) and fellowship in Pediatric Allergy & Immunology in
Rochester, New York (1967-1969). While director of the Cystic Fibrosis Care, Teaching
and Resource Center (1967 to 1985), his NIH-funded research was in epidemiology
and genetics of childhood chronic respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis,
asthma, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
In collaboration with international investigators, his genealogic and genetic
field work contributed to understanding the cystic fibrosis gene locus and its
genotype variants. Working with Hutterite, Mennonite, and Amish kindreds of North
America, Dr. Schwartz and his collaborators found that the Hutterite kindred had
two cystic fibrosis genetic variants, making it possible for them to chose and
perhaps achieve early control of cystic fibrosis.In 1985, Dr. Schwartz
and Dr. John Condemi left their full-time tenured academic positions and founded
AAIR (Allergy, Asthma, Immunology of Rochester), a major allergy training locus
for residents in both Pediatrics and Medicine. While at AAIR, Bob conducted
clinical research in the areas of Pediatric Asthma and Food Allergy. Dr.
Schwartz is a former director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology
(1978-1983) and co-director of the Allergy & Immunology residency training
program in Rochester (1970-1985) and editor-in-chief of Pediatric Asthma Allergy
& Immunology (1996-1999). He has published 100 papers and 80 abstracts in
medical journals. He has been the principal investigator in NIH-funded study grants
and contracts and has been the principal investigator and sub-investigator in
many pharmaceutical company-sponsored drug study trials. He has continued
his commitment to medical education and has conducted clinical teaching electives
for most pediatric residents and the pediatric allergy/immunology required rotations
for all allergy/immunology trainees. These physicians are now practicing in both
academic and community settings in this country. Bob's own mentors include his
father, Dr. Emanuel Schwartz who practiced allergy in Brooklyn, New York, and
Dr. John H. Vaughan with whom he took "a year out" medical school fellowship.
Dr. Paul A. diSant'Agnese taught him the importance of both sweat and tears. Dr.
Douglas E. Johnstone taught him it is possible to both practice Allergy
and contribute to medical knowledge. Dr. John J. Condemi continues to be
his role model. Currently, Bob hopes to help identify the genetic and immunologic
reasons why infants with cow's milk allergy are especially prone to develop asthma. Currently,
Dr. Schwartz is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital
and the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. He has recently
been named the 2003 recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award
by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). | 
