Donald Fedder, long-time School of Pharmacy faculty member, dies

Teacher, researcher, alumnus, and mentor will be remembered for his impact on countless individuals

By Becky Ceraul
September 3, 2010

Donald Fedder, DrPH, MPH, BSP, FAPhA, a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy since the early 1970s, passed away on Aug. 28 at the age of 83.

“Don was a wonderful colleague and friend,” says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “He was thoughtful, insightful, and always willing to share his views and advice. He has left an indelible mark on our School, and we will sorely miss him.”

Fedder came to the School of Pharmacy in 1947 – not as a faculty member but as a student. He graduated in 1950 with a BSP and took over a pharmacy on Wise Avenue in Dundalk. He operated that pharmacy for more than 20 years. It was the first in Maryland to carry orthotics and home health medical equipment.

In the early 1970s, Fedder was recruited to the School of Pharmacy by Drs. Ralph Shangraw and Peter Lamy. He had recently sold his pharmacy and “retired” so he was available.

As a researcher, Fedder focused on the role of modifiable behaviors in reducing disease risk, increasing patient compliance with medication, and improving relationships between the patient and health care provider. While a member of the School’s Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (PHSR), Fedder founded the ENABLE program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in the mid-1980s. For 20 years it trained local community health workers to aid high-risk populations with chronic diseases to maintain control of their illnesses. This innovative program earned Fedder campus-wide recognition when he received the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Award.

“Don’s pioneering work fostering community outreach and advocating for health care for vulnerable populations through the ENABLE program was the pinnacle of a long and distinguished career in public health and community pharmacy,” says Dean Eddington. “As we mourn him, we take note of his remarkable contributions to the well being of those citizens who fall through the cracks.

While in his 50s and working full-time at the School, Fedder went “back to school” himself and earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“One of the most important gifts Don has given all of us is his example as a life-long learner,” says Ilene Zuckerman, PharmD, PhD, professor and chair of PHSR. “Many people gained inspiration from him, myself included. Don made a choice to return to the classroom, after a very successful career in community pharmacy, and earn a Doctorate in Public Health. He was passionate about both community pharmacy and public health. The accomplishments throughout his career and the students he taught are the fruits of that passion. We are thankful to Don for providing the vision and inspiration of life-long learning to all those he touched during his lifetime. He will be remembered.”

In November 2009, Fedder retired from the School of Pharmacy as a professor emeritus at a special ceremony that also celebrated his 83rd birthday. Surrounded by his family, friends, and colleagues, Fedder was praised for the positive impact he had on countless students, staff, faculty, and community health workers.

“One of the amazing things about Don Fedder is the fact that he truly was ‘Mr. Baltimore’ in every sense,” says C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, a professor in PHSR and former chair of the department. “For community health, Mr. Baltimore developed the ENABLE program to reach patients with chronic diseases who were homebound or had trouble managing their disease. For public health, he was an advocate and active within our city, as well as at the state and national levels, having served as the president of the Maryland Public Health Association multiple times. On a social level, he was active in the community and a man of culture; he and his wife, Michaeline, were often supporters of the arts, and Mr. Baltimore was always equally comfortable rubbing elbows with the city’s elite and those who were less fortunate. He was a model for our city as well as our School.”

A funeral will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. at Sol Levinson Funeral Home, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville.

A graduate fellowship in PHSR has been created by Fedder’s colleagues at the School of Pharmacy in his memory. To make a contribution to the fellowship through the University of Maryland, Baltimore Foundation or for information, please contact Janice Batzold at jbatzold@rx.umaryland.edu or 410-706-1711.

Remembrances of Don:

“I was always amazed by Don’s passion for public health education. Don’s commitment to this discipline grew out of a successful community pharmacy practice in Dundalk, Maryland. After 20 plus years in practice, Don was persuaded by several SOP faculty to join them to teach students about contemporary community practice. Shortly after joining the faculty, Don felt compelled to enter the public health doctorate program at Johns Hopkins. I joined the faculty about the same time as a young assistant professor right out of graduate school and was amazed to hear about Don’s plans at a time when many people might be thinking about retirement! I observed that he made significant sacrifices to accomplish this important personal goal. But that was just indicative of Don’s desire to keep learning and growing. In addition, over the years, I often noticed that Don’s love of pharmacy seemed to permeate his work. He was a strong advocate for pharmacists taking more active roles in public health education. Among other things, Don stressed that our profession can contribute so much to the health of our society if only we would act (rather than being passive members of the health care team). His research, writings, and actions never wavered from this message. His passion was also visible in his interactions with professional and graduate students, and his colleagues where he tried to have us see health in a broader context than just medications and diseases. I will miss Don’s passion very much.”

Robert Beardsley, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical health services research

“I have had the privilege to have Dr. Donald Fedder as my mentor, helping me understand the intricacies of academia but most importantly, encouraging me and keeping me focused on career-long goals, in the midst of a sea of distractions. I would take him out to lunch every year on his birthday and every time he would say: did you know I am turning 80 something? He was a constant source of inspiration. We had the shared passion for serving the community and his thought was that chronic disease should not kill you. He would always say ‘people should die with it not from it.’ He had this quiet assurance and this unique ability to relate to people from all walks of life. He was very genuine and respectful of all, and people could immediately see that in him and trust him. Without these unique qualities, none of his many flagship programs would have been as successful as they were. What was also truly remarkable was that he never slowed down, always keeping up with the very hectic pace of campus life. His energy level was inspiring. He would walk fast to meetings across our campus, and climb stairs from the garage to the office floors, putting to shame the rest of us elevator fans. Don was a pillar of our communities, had a heart of gold, and the partnerships that he has formed across town are enduring and will be the best homage to him. It will make him happy to see them go on when he takes a peak at us from his new world.”

Fadia Shaya, PhD, associate professor of pharmaceutical health services research

“Don Fedder was an extraordinary individual. He had a successful career as a community pharmacist, achieving national prominence as the Chairman of the Board (now President) of the APhA. Then he embarked on a second career, earning his doctorate in public health at Hopkins and joining our faculty as its oldest assistant professor. It may have been his sense that the lack of credit he received for his years of professional experience as a pharmacist towards his eventual promotion as a faculty member led him to be such an advocate for and architect of our Nontraditional PharmD Program. Credit for “Prior Learning Experience” was an integral part of a program that helped over 200 BS practicing pharmacists in fulltime positions earn PharmDs after the School went all-PharmD in 1993. Don was a quintessential academic and an activist. He could vigorously and vehemently argue an idea, and then join you for a calm and enjoyable lunch or dinner. He started and successfully operated the Board for Orthotics Certification and the Community Health Workers Program despite many hurdles, and spoke out for a public health role for pharmacists long before the current popularity of the idea. Don’s influence on the School of Pharmacy is far reaching, and will remain (if not always remembered) for many years to come.”

David Knapp, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical health services research and former dean of the School of Pharmacy

“Having worked side-by-side with Don for 25 years, I know of all his professional accomplishments. But what I will remember most about Don is not his impressive professional accomplishments, but what a wonderful, caring, person he was – to many people. As a teacher, mentor, and friend – he guided and supported us, and challenged us to push ourselves to grow – both professionally and personally. And most importantly, he believed in us. Last November, at his retirement celebration, I told him that his legacy was the positive impact that he had on hundreds and hundreds of people, and that many of us would not be where we are today without his belief in us. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him, and most importantly, to have been his friend.”

Sheila Curry, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research

“We always have a choice: to act in love, or react in fear.

It takes courage to take the positive road, to say no to naysayers, to give with an open heart. To care for every human no matter what his or her station in life. To stay true to your conscience. To act on behalf of the common public good, and not one’s self.

Today I am grateful for Don Fedder, a colleague, a friend, a mentor. He always chose love. Thank you for shining a light on my little life, and on so many others. Rest in peace, friend…”

Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical health services research

“Don was always eager to help young faculty. I recall during my early years at the School of Pharmacy how supportive he was of my efforts to engage in research and to help him with the ENABLE program. He was passionate about helping the disadvantaged and had a tremendous ability to gain the trust of individuals of all races and ethnic backgrounds. He cared about improving the lives of others. He was a great mentor who will be missed.”

Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, professor and chair of pharmacy practice and science

“I learned a lot from Dr. Fedder during my stay in Baltimore. His work in community outreach reflects his dedication to public health, which is one of the essential components of a pharmacist’s spirit. He was a great teacher who we all will remember.”

Vithaya Kulsomboon, former PHSR graduate student