DUCoM professor passes away at 59
Claudia Vargas
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News
Eleanor Maloney Smergel, 59, of Haddonfield, a radiologist at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and an associate professor at Drexel University's College of Medicine, died of breast cancer Feb. 15 while in hospice care.
As a pediatric radiologist, Dr. Smergel enjoyed the challenge of performing CAT scans and MRIs on tiny bodies, said her husband, Henry.
"She was loved by the entire hospital and respected by all," said Eric Faerber, director of St. Christopher's radiology department, who knew Dr. Smergel for the 24 years that she worked there.
Dr. Smergel was compassionate and kind not only with her young patients but also with her medical students and residents.
"She was an excellent teacher who maintained the highest standards," Faerber said. "She was characterized by her warmth, grace, and dignity."
Dr. Smergel was director of the St. Christopher's Radiology Training Program. She also was associate professor of radiological sciences at Drexel's College of Medicine.
Dr. Smergel was born in Texas, where her father was stationed in the Air Force. As a girl, she lived in several states and countries, including West Germany and France, before settling in Chevy Chase, Md., for her high school years.
She majored in biology at Swarthmore College, graduating in 1969, and went on to Johns Hopkins University as a research technician. She attended Georgetown University Medical School, where she met her future husband. They married in 1978 and graduated a year later.
Both landed residencies in Philadelphia, Dr. Smergel at St. Christopher's Hospital in radiology.
Because she went full circle at St. Christopher's - starting as a resident and eventually teaching residents - she got to know almost everyone on staff. Her presence is missed, Faerber said.
In addition to her husband, Dr. Smergel is survived by a son, Jacob; a daughter, Emily; a brother; and a sister.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, where prayers will follow.
Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Grieving Children, Teens and Families, 1139 E. Luzerne St., Philadelphia 19124.
This article is an excerpt of the full obituary published by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
As a pediatric radiologist, Dr. Smergel enjoyed the challenge of performing CAT scans and MRIs on tiny bodies, said her husband, Henry.
"She was loved by the entire hospital and respected by all," said Eric Faerber, director of St. Christopher's radiology department, who knew Dr. Smergel for the 24 years that she worked there.
Dr. Smergel was compassionate and kind not only with her young patients but also with her medical students and residents.
"She was an excellent teacher who maintained the highest standards," Faerber said. "She was characterized by her warmth, grace, and dignity."
Dr. Smergel was director of the St. Christopher's Radiology Training Program. She also was associate professor of radiological sciences at Drexel's College of Medicine.
Dr. Smergel was born in Texas, where her father was stationed in the Air Force. As a girl, she lived in several states and countries, including West Germany and France, before settling in Chevy Chase, Md., for her high school years.
She majored in biology at Swarthmore College, graduating in 1969, and went on to Johns Hopkins University as a research technician. She attended Georgetown University Medical School, where she met her future husband. They married in 1978 and graduated a year later.
Both landed residencies in Philadelphia, Dr. Smergel at St. Christopher's Hospital in radiology.
Because she went full circle at St. Christopher's - starting as a resident and eventually teaching residents - she got to know almost everyone on staff. Her presence is missed, Faerber said.
In addition to her husband, Dr. Smergel is survived by a son, Jacob; a daughter, Emily; a brother; and a sister.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, where prayers will follow.
Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Grieving Children, Teens and Families, 1139 E. Luzerne St., Philadelphia 19124.
This article is an excerpt of the full obituary published by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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