Julie Ellerhorst M.D. Ph.D.

1954 - 2024

Julie Ellerhorst, MD, PhD
06/16/1954 - 04/20/2024
Julie Ann Ellerhorst, M.D., Ph.D, passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, TX, on April 20, 2024, after a difficult battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Julie was born on June 16, 1954, in Cincinnati, OH, to parents Robert and Marian (Reck) Ellerhorst, the second of seven children. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1972 and moved to Houston in 1977 to explore a possible career in cancer care. By the following year, Julie was employed as a medication technician at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and quickly discovered her passion for helping those dealing with a cancer diagnosis. During this same time, she was introduced by one of her patients to Gerry Pugil, her soulmate and life-partner. The bond formed between the two of them was immediate and, over time, unwavering.

Julie completed her Bachelor's Degree in Biology at St. Thomas University in Houston and met her goal of getting her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine just weeks prior to her 30th birthday. Her medical residency was done at Baylor, followed by a fellowship in oncology at M.D. Anderson where she remained for the rest of her medical career.

Julie was well-respected as both an outstanding oncology practitioner and an expert cancer researcher. In 1998, she completed her Ph.D. studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston. She was one of the first physicians to achieve this while still working full-time in patient care delivery. Julie continued to do both patient care and cancer research for about 10 years after receiving her PhD, and then made the difficult decision to leave clinical practice so she could focus her time and energy on research.

Although Julie's research involved several different cancer types, her primary interest was melanoma and the hormonal influences that affected tumor growth. She co-authored over 80 published manuscripts and presented her research at cancer conferences around the globe. She served as a mentor to international colleagues, helping them understand research methods and assisting those whose first language was not English in writing manuscripts for publication.

In 2011, Julie experienced a seizure caused by a malignant brain tumor. The results of surgery and treatment left Julie unable to continue her medical career, but her desire to show kindness and compassion to others never wavered. After she and Gerry moved to Galveston, Julie served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and for Hospice of the Greater Houston and Galveston area. While volunteering at one of several animal shelters, Julie met Hannah, a sweet dog whose treatments for severe allergies made it impossible to place her in a "forever home". That changed when Julie, a legendary dog-rescuer, came into her life. Hannah devotedly remained at Julie's side from then on, up to the moment of Julie's final breath.

Julie persevered bravely through problems with ambulation, thought to be the result of brain tumor treatment, but in 2020, further evaluation showed Parkinson's Disease to be the true culprit. She and Gerry returned to Houston to be closer to their health care team. In January, 2024, with symptoms worsening, Julie and Gerry enlisted Hospice services to assist them through the final stage of Julie's life journey. The excellent care provided by the Hospice team gave Gerry the support and resources he needed to lovingly care for Julie at home and assure her a peaceful and dignified death.

Julie is survived by her loving husband Gerry Pugil; siblings Jan (David) Stockton, Cindy (the late Darryl) Reed, Gary (Robin) Ellerhorst, Gregg (Lisa) Ellerhorst, D. Peter (Jenny) Ellerhorst, and Brian (Rosario) Ellerhorst; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws; and Hannah. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Marian Ellerhorst.

Family and friends are invited to join in Julie's Celebration of Life at St. Catharine of Sienna Church, 2848 Fischer Place, Cincinnati, OH 45211, on Monday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m. Neidhard-Minges Funeral Home (https://neidhardminges.com) is serving the Ellerhorst and Pugil families.
In lieu of flowers, it was Julie's request that memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the animal shelter of your choice.