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Ellis D. Avner, MD, passed away on December 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, WI, surrounded by his loving family. He was a nationally and internationally recognized leader in pediatric nephrology. After graduating from Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, he went on to train in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology at Boston Children’s Hospital. His career took him to Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, Seattle Children’s Hospital as Division Chief of Nephrology, and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital as Chairman of Pediatrics in Milwaukee where he was the Founding Director of The Children’s Research Institute at Children’s Wisconsin. He retired as Emeritus Professor in 2015 from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

He was involved in the organization and achievements of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology and the International Pediatric Nephrology Association, having served on numerous committees and as President of the ASPN. He received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the ASPN, and IPNA.

Ellis served on the editorial boards of 15 major journals in pediatric nephrology and developmental biology. He was the senior editor of the 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of Pediatric Nephology, widely recognized as THE text in the area. He authored 340 peer-reviewed articles, invited reviews, chapters, and books in his field. He received numerous grants supporting his research in polycystic kidney disease and developmental biology. Over 34 fellows and multiple residents and students were trained by him, and many now hold clinical and leadership positions in the USA and elsewhere in the world.

Ellis was completely devoted to his patients. He was first and foremost a practicing physician, and his patients loved him for that. As a colleague, I could always ask Ellis for patient care advice and knew I would get the most learned and practical advice possible.

Ellis made the world a better place. I was humbly honored to be his friend and colleague. He was deeply religious, a caring friend, and devoted to his family. Our heart-felt condolences go to Jane and the family. May he rest in peace.

Sandra Watkins, MD, Emerita Professor, University of Washington.

Ellis’s obituary can be found at https://www.goodmanbensman.com/obituaries/ckxounkk31314128lkm1gnq5z5e9