Deborah Kredich

Deborah Welt Kredich, M.D. died Saturday, July 22, 2006 at Duke Hospital following eight years of living with breast cancer. She was born October 1, 1936 in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Dale and Eleanor Welt. She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Nicholas Kredich, M.D.; daughter Kathryn Rohlf and husband, John, of Campbell, CA, their children Laney, Jackson, and Lucas; son Matthew and wife, Kim, of Knoxville, TN, their children Miles, Ben and Coleman; son, Nathan, and wife Sherri of San Diego, CA, their children Hannah and Sam; sister, Phoebe Kent and husband, Jim, of Williamsburg, VA.
Debby was graduated valedictorian from public high school in Iowa City and attended Duke University as an undergraduate. With her husband she obtained her M.D. from the University of Michigan in 1962. Primarily a member of the Duke Pediatric Department, she also served as Consultant in Rheumatology at Children's Hospital in Stanford, Palo Alto, CA and as Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at NC Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill. She served on the NC Chapter Arthritis Foundation Committee on Medical Affairs, as a member of the American Rheumatism Association Board of Directors, as a member of the National Advisory Board for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health and on the Food and Drug Administration Arthritis Advisory Committee, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. At Duke she was an early member of the Chancellor's committee for Women's Affairs.
A pioneer in the field of pediatric rheumatology, authoring more than 60 publications in that field, she was largely responsible for pediatric rheumatology being recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties as a formal specialty, working with the American Board of Pediatrics to establish the Sub-Board of Pediatric Rheumatology and its certification program, where she was awarded Certificate #001. Highly respected by her colleagues, she was elected to positions of prominence, including first Chair of the Sub-Board of Pediatric Rheumatology of the American Board of Pediatrics, President of the Pediatric Rheumatology Section, and member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Rheumatology, which named her Master of Rheumatology, a rare honor for a pediatrician.
At Duke Medical Center she served as Chief of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Program Director of the Residency Training and Associate Dean of the School of Medicine. In these capacities, Debby touched the lives of many patients, students, house staff, and faculty. She was an incredible mentor to young physicians, with her legacy continuing through the hundreds of medical students, residents, and fellows she influenced.
Her many honors also included Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, the Samuel L. Katz Award for Faculty Member Most Instrumental in Training Pediatric House Staff, the James Cassidy Award for Excellence in rheumatology and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.
Debby was a woman of great faith and served as deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church. As a physician, her faith lay in her belief that healing stemmed from the compassionate practice of medical science, and she devoted her career to instilling this same belief in her colleagues and students. She believed deeply in the importance of family, and this same faith carries on today within the many who adored her. Finally, she had tremendous faith in her Lord and in His love and mercy, and her family is comforted that she has now joined her mother, father and brother in His kingdom.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 26, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3639 Chapel Hill Road, Durham. Friends may visit with the family following the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Kredich may be sent to Duke Children's Hospital, c/o Duke Children's Development, DUMC Box 2975, Durham, NC 27710.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Hall-Wynne Funeral Service is assisting the Kredich family.