Stuart Kleit

Stuart Allen Kleit DDS MD was born in Passaic, NJ July 29,1933 to Morris W Kleit DDS and Ruth [Gelman] Kleit. He grew up in Teaneck, NJ and graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. In 1951, he attended Williams College and graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a DDS in 1957 and from the University of Florida with an MD in 1961. He was a member of AOA, the Honorary Medical Society. His residency training in Medicine was at the University of Florida and Indiana University where he was Chief Medical Resident. His Fellowship in Nephrology was at the University of Florida with Dr Robert Cade. He entered the Navy in 1965 as a lieutenant, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and was the Commanding Officer of the Clinical Investigation Center of the Oakland Naval Hospital. He was Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He attended the Harvard University Business School Program in Health Care Management.
In 1967 he joined the faculty of the Indiana University School of Medicine where he founded the Renal Division of the Department of Medicine. He remained Chief of the Division for 22 years and rose to the rank of Professor of Medicine. One of his proudest accomplishments was the training of 40 Nephrologists who entered academic medicine and private practice in Indiana and around the country. He was appointed Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs 1983 and Associate Dean in 1984. In 1984 he was Interim Director of the Indiana University Hospitals. He held many positions within the hospital and university. He was member of the two-man primary university negotiating team responsible for the formation of Clarion Health Partners, now IU Health. He was Executive Vice President for Education at Clarion Health Partners from 1998 through 1999. He retired in 1999 with the rank of Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean Emeritus.
He was intimately involved in the development and delivery of Renal Replacement Therapy [hemodialysis and transplant]in Indiana and around the country. He was a founding member of the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana and a member of its Board of Trustees from 1967 to 1988. Its yearly educational symposium is named for him. He was responsible for the development and operation of the Indiana Chronic Kidney Disease Act which provide funding for dialysis patients in Indiana in the late 60s and early 70s. He was a founding Board Member of the Renal Physicians Association 1973 to 1976. He was Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation for five years and subsequently in Its Vice President and President, 1978 to 1980. During his tenure the Foundation launched its scientific journal, the American Journal of Kidney Disease. He was a member and Treasurer of the American Blood Commission, 1974 to 1978. He was Chairman of the National Kidney and Urology Advisory Board at National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney from 1987 to 1990.
He received many honors recognizing his services including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Service Award of the Kidney Foundation of Indiana. He was the recipient of the Martin K Wagner Award of the National Kidney Foundation in 1984. In 1991 he was given an Award of Special Recognition by the American Society of Nephrology for Services to Nephrology and the same year received a Certificate for Distinguished Services to Urology from the American Urologic Association. The Governor of Indiana appointed him a Sagamore of the Wabash. He was recognized by the Alumni of the Indiana University School of Medicine with the Glen Irwin MD Award for Distinguished Faculty Service in 1998. He was a member of the George Harrell Club of the University of Florida and of the President's Circle of Indiana University.
After retirement he and his devoted wife, Cynthia, moved to the Wycliffe Golf and Country Club in Wellington, FL. He enjoyed his grandchildren, golf and Renaissance art. He is survived by his wife and helpmate of 65 years, his sons Andrew and David, his daughter-in-law Rachel and his adored grandchildren Paul, Esther, Miriam and Natanya as well as his sister Lois Rose. Donations can be sent in lieu of flowers to the Indiana University Foundation for the Kleit Professorship in Nephrology at PO Box 7072, Indianapolis IN 46207-7072.