Dr. Steven Neil Wolff

Dr. Steven Neil Wolff died on October 31, 2014 from brain cancer after an illness of two years duration. He was born in Bronx, NY on November 5, 1948, the son of Ethel Gilman and Ely Herman Wolff. He is survived by his wife Barbara Engelbrecht Wolff; his children Joshua Wolff and Jennie Wolff (Will) McLemore; his beloved grandchildren Agnes and Ely McLemore; his sister Gail (Joel) Yudkovitz; his father-in-law Roger Engelbrecht and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and brothers-and-sisters-in-law.

Dr. Wolff received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College in 1969 and his medical degree from the University of Illinois in 1974. After a residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and subspecialty training in hematology and oncology at Washington University School of Medicine, he returned to Vanderbilt as a faculty member in 1980. He was the founder and the initial director of the Vanderbilt Bone Marrow Transplant Program. Under his vigorous leadership, the transplant program grew to a level of national importance in clinical care and research. In 2001, he left Vanderbilt to become Vice President for Medical Affairs at Aastrom Biosciences, but returned to Nashville two years later to join the faculty of Meharry Medical College. At Meharry, he was the Chief of Hematology and Oncology, Director of the Sickle Cell Program and Chairman of Internal Medicine from 2005-2008. During these years he not only worked in the hospital and clinic every week, but he also successfully competed for government grants to champion the cause of underserved populations. He was a key force in the Vanderbilt-Meharry alliance and a revered educator of students and residents.

During his productive career, Dr. Wolff was continuously involved with clinical research and authored numerous articles and book chapters. His was active in professional societies, and he had a particular interest in the National Marrow Donor Program, serving as the President of the Council in 1997 and Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1998-2000. During a sabbatical from Vanderbilt in 1998, he was the initial President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and remained on the Board of Directors after the naming of a permanent director. In 2014, he was awarded the Harry Hynes Award from the National Institutes of Health for his efforts in extending access to clinical trials in cancer therapy to underserved populations. In the same year, Meharry Medical College presented him with the Distinguished Healer Award and dedicated a new family consultation suite in his honor.

Dr. Wolff will be especially remembered for his enthusiasm and engagement in the lives and careers of the people around him. He was open, humble, and committed to excellence in medical care and education. He was a loyal and caring husband, father and grandfather and generous to his friends. He had high energy and a joy of life. After a hard week at work, he loved to cycle on weekends in the countryside around Nashville and many of his best friends apart from work were cycling companions. He enjoyed cooking with his wife for friends and family and relished his yearly trips to explore other cultures and cuisines, particularly in various regions of Italy.

The family extends special thanks to Dr. Paul Moots, Dr. Paul Rosenblatt, the caregivers at Richland Place, Alive Hospice and Wade Nursing. Dr. Wolff was grateful for the unwavering friendship and support of friends, colleagues, and his cycling group.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10am on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at Congregation Micah. Visitation with the family will held on Monday evening from 5-8pm at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Friends in General Hospital Oncology Patient Fund, American Cancer Society Summer Camp Program, or a charity of their choice.

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