Dr. Robert William Schrier was a preeminent nephrologist and academic leader who served as Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1936, he earned his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in 1957 and his MD from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1962, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. Following residency training in internal medicine at the University of Washington and fellowship at Harvard's Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, he began his academic career at the University of California San Francisco from 1969-1972. In 1972, he accepted the position as Head of the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension at the University of Colorado, where he would spend the remainder of his distinguished career.
Dr. Schrier's most significant contribution was transforming the University of Colorado's renal division from a small section with two faculty members and minimal research funding into one of the most respected nephrology programs in the nation, growing it to over 20 faculty members with more than $10 million in research grants. As Chairman of the Department of Medicine for 26 years from 1976-2002, he oversaw extraordinary growth, increasing the department's faculty from 75 to 500 and research funding from $3 million to nearly $100 million annually. He was editor of the seminal textbook Diseases of the Kidney and Urinary Tract, now in its 8th edition, which has educated generations of nephrologists worldwide. His clinical research significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of kidney disease and hypertension, particularly in the development of dialysis protocols that dramatically improved patient survival rates.
Dr. Schrier's leadership extended far beyond the University of Colorado as he served as President of the American Society of Nephrology from 1982-1983, the National Kidney Foundation from 1984-1986, and the International Society of Nephrology from 1995-1997, making him the only individual to have led all three major nephrology organizations. He received numerous prestigious honors including the Jean Hamburger Award from the ISN, the Peters Award from the ASN, and the David Hume Award from the NKF, reflecting his immense contributions to the field. His legacy continues through the many nephrologists he trained, with former fellows occupying leadership positions across the United States and internationally. Dr. Schrier passed away on January 23, 2021, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern nephrology whose vision and leadership fundamentally shaped the specialty.
