Gerald David Weinstein

Gerald David Weinstein, MD, a recognized international leader in the field of psoriasis research, died at age 79 on December 15, 2015. Dr. Weinstein served as the chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine from 1979 to 2004. Born on October 13, 1936 in Flushing (Queens), New York City, Gerald attended the University of Pennsylvania for college and medical school before completing his internship at USC's County Hospital in Los Angeles. Gerald became interested in academic research and he completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in 1962. He went on to residency in Dermatology at the University of Miami and joined the faculty there post graduation. Dr. Weinstein's research helped define the cellular kinetic basis of psoriasis and other hyperproliferative skin disorders. In addition, he made major contributions to developing more effective treatment regimens for psoriasis. In 1979, he became the founding chair for the department of Dermatology at UCI, which soon became one of the leading programs in the nation. Between 1985-1987, Dr. Weinstein served as the Acting Dean of the UCI College of Medicine. Dr. Weinstein's legacy will be remembered for his triad of academic excellence in teaching, research and clinical service. In 1993, he was presented with the lifetime achievement award from the National Psoriasis Foundation. More recently, the UCI Department of Dermatology dedicated the Gerald D. Weinstein Library. In addition to his professional achievements, Gerald was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He married his college sweetheart Marcia Zalmanoff in 1960 and they had three children. Gerald and Marcia were married for 40 years when Marcia passed away. In 2001, Gerald married again to an old friend, Eleanor Saltzer. They lived a rich full life in Tustin, California for many years. Gerald is survived by his wife, Eleanor, his sister Barbara (Floyd), his three children, Jeffrey (Susan), Jonathan (Sara), and Deborah (David), his grandchildren, Nathaniel, Samuel, Amara, and Laila, as well as Eleanor's children, Karen and David, and grandchildren.