MORRELL AVRAM

1929 - 2023

AVRAM--Morrell Michael. Morrell Michael Avram (1929-2023), one of the first nephrologists, a pioneer of the use of artificial kidney dialysis, and Holocaust survivor, died peacefully at home on Saturday, February 18, 2023. He was 93. A leader in the new field of nephrology, he made pathbreaking advances in the treatment of patients with diabetes and kidney failure through dialysis and kidney transplants. He was the first doctor to use the artificial kidney on diabetes patients and successfully to treat diabetics with renal failure. Dr. Avram was Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook University School of Medicine. Among his numerous honors are the Medal of Excellence from the American Association of Kidney Patients, the Lester Hoenig Award of the National Kidney Foundation for outstanding scientific and humanitarian achievement, and the Medical Recognition Award from the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. Dr. Avram is survived by his beloved wife, Maria; sister, Liliana Friedman; five children, Dr. Rella Hartman, Dr. Marc Avram, Eric Avram, Dr. Mathew Avram, Dr. David Avram; their spouses, Joe Hartman, Robin Avram, Dr. Alison Avram, Kristi Avram; Lynne Greenberg; and his grandchildren, Andrew, Zoe, William, Robert, Jacob, Benjamin, Lilly, Alexander, Rachel, Noah, Joshua, and Emily. He was buried in a private service at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, NY on Monday, February 20.