Faculty member Dr. Betty Roof dies May 14
by Stacey Condren, M.D.
Endocrinology Fellow
Dr. Betty Roof Fudenberg, professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and
medical genetics passed away May 14.
Dr.
Betty Roof
Her family, MUSC, and the community, have lost a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Dr. Roof was born April 13, 1926, in Columbia. She graduated from the University of South Carolina (Magna cum laude) at the age of 18, and from Duke University School of Medicine in 1949, second in her class at the age of 23. She was a professor emerita of medicine at MUSC, and former assistant dean for student progress. Previously she was on the staff of the University of California, San Francisco.
She made discoveries in the area of parathyroid hormone and metabolic bone disease. Some of her contributions continue to be the standard of care worldwide.
On a more personal level, I will miss her greatly. She was one of the most sincere, caring people I have ever known. My children, and many others, called her “Grandma Roof.”
Although she was reportedly “semi-retired,” she was always available to the endocrinology fellows, both on a personal and professional level. She was always willing to discuss patient care, current research, or whatever was on our minds. She almost never missed our conferences, and she always had something valuable and insightful to contribute.
She was deeply committed to education, and shared her knowledge generously. Her drive and commitment to staying current with medical knowledge (and technology) will remain an inspiration to me. She was always more concerned with others than with herself. Even while she was hospitalized and in the intensive care unit, she routinely asked about many of her patients.
I currently receive as many as 20 calls each day from her patients. Many of them have said that they thought of her not only as their physician but also, as a friend. I feel blessed to have known her.
The family requests that donations be made to the Endocrine Training Fund at the Health Sciences Foundation, 18 Bee Street, P.O. Box 250450, Charleston, S.C., 29425.
We have lost a princess. Betty was one of the best physicians
I have ever seen. She refused to sacrifice her careful, conscientious,
and thoughtful approach to patient care on the altar of current notions
of cost effectiveness and RVUs (relative value unit). While we are perhaps
too overcome with grief immediately, it won’t be long before we are able
to celebrate what Betty has given to us and the tradition she has left
for us.
—Tim Garvey, M.D., Professor, Endocrinology,
Diabetes, and Medical Genetics
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