Dr. Oliver was pediatric nephrology pioneer

• Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

William J. Oliver, M.D., FAAP, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., died May 11 at age 85.

Dr. Oliver

A man of many firsts in pediatric nephrology, he was responsible for developing the first pediatric nephrology board tests, was one of the nation’s first pediatric nephrologists and participated in one of the first kidney transplants in Michigan.

In 1979, he was honored with the AAP Clifford G. Grulee Award for outstanding service to the Academy beyond that required of the elected leadership.

Dr. Oliver was chair of the AAP Council on Pediatric Education (1974-’80) and the AAP Committee on Medical Education (1974-’80). He served as past president of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Michigan Kidney Disease Foundation and Midwest Society for Pediatric Research.

A world traveler, he conducted research on the Yanomami Indians, one of the world’s few remaining primitive tribes in the Amazon and in Venezuela. He also traveled as a visiting professor to Canada, Jamaica, Chile, Australia, Venezuela, Austria and Saudi Arabia, and conducted research in Guatemala and the Central African Republic.

After receiving his medical degree from University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, in 1948, he completed an internship and residency in pediatrics there (1948-’50), and later served as the Department of Pediatrics chair (1967-’79). Dr. Oliver became board-certified in pediatric nephrology in 1974.

He is survived by his wife, Marguerite, three children and seven grandchildren.