William T. Speck

New York - Dr. William T. Speck (or "Bill" as he was known by family and friends), embodied the ideal of a physician-educator. Dr. Speck was a Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and Chief Administrative Officer at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. He then served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine for ten years. As Chairman of Pediatrics, Dr. Speck had two guiding passions; the care and welfare of pediatric patients, and a commitment to providing first class training opportunities to young doctors beginning their careers in pediatric medicine. From 1992-1999, Dr. Speck served as President and CEO of Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center during which he orchestrated its merger with Cornell's New York Hospital, which became The New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the largest academic health care delivery system in the country. One of his priorities for the merger was building a new children's hospital on the campus of Columbia University Medical Center. Today, the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is the top ranked children's hospital in New York City and among the best in the nation. In 2001 Dr. Speck was named Director and CEO of Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. There, he established an affiliation with Brown University allowing for graduate students to work alongside MBL scientists pursuing cutting edge research in biology, bio-medicine and environmental science. In retirement, Dr. Speck continued to hold leadership roles on non-profit boards including at City Meals On Wheels, the Hadassah Medical Organization, and Hope for Depression. Dr. Speck is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lipper, M.D.; his four children, Anastasia Speck, Stephanie Mastrioanni, Will Speck, and Alexandra Slater; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dr. Speck will be laid to rest in a family funeral service in Woods Hole, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Early Starters International, an organization dedicated to providing safe spaces for children impacted by global conflict and natural disaster. https://www.earlystarters.org/donate.