In Memoriam: Stephen E. Straus, M.D.
Stephen E. Straus, M.D., founding Director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), died of brain cancer on May 14, 2007. He was 60.
"As NCCAM's first Director, Dr. Straus articulated an uncompromising and compelling agenda for scientific research and research training that engendered broad interest and collaboration," said Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director of NIH. "His success stemmed from the fact that he understood that the commitment to help patients had to be constantly evolving in order to meet their needs. The NIH has lost a great leader, an outstanding scientist, and a dear friend."
Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D., Acting Director of NCCAM, said, "As NCCAM's founding Director from 1999 to 2006, Dr. Straus built a comprehensive research enterprise, championing the efforts to establish the efficacy and safety of CAM practices while upholding the rigorous standards of science for which the NIH is known. Under his leadership, CAM research at NIH grew threefold, facilitating his vision of an evidence-based integrative approach to health care for the benefit of the public."
In addition to his NCCAM position, Dr. Straus was an internationally recognized research scientist who served as Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Straus's survivors include his wife, Barbara Straus; daughters, Kate Straus and Julie Straus; son, Benjamin Straus; mother, Dora Straus; sister, Miriam Wallach; and brother, Marc J. Straus, M.D.
