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June 22, 2000

Obituary: Kenneth D. Rogers

Professor emeritus Kenneth D. Rogers, known for a career devoted to community health, died June 6, 2000, following major surgery. He was 79.

Rogers earned his bachelor's degree from Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1942, and upon graduation enlisted in the Navy and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, earning a medical degree in three years. As a Navy surgeon, Rogers served on active duty until 1948 and was a member of the Navy Reserves until 1956. The Cincinnati native did his pediatric residency at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital.

In 1952, Rogers enrolled in Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health. He earned a master's degree in 1953 and that year was named assistant professor of maternal and child health at GSPH. He was named associate professor in 1957 and in 1960 became professor and chair of community medicine at Pitt's medical school, a position he held until his retirement in 1988.

Rogers was named professor emeritus of clinical epidemiology and continued as professor of pediatrics, teaching first-year medical students, and pediatric residents and fellows at Children's Hospital until his death.

Long-time colleague Jack Paradise, Pitt professor of pediatrics, said Rogers was incisive and analytical. "He had an exceptionally keen mind that cut to the heart of problems," Paradise said. "He was outspoken; if he didn't agree with you he had no trouble letting you know about it. On the other hand, he was very warm and caring and took a great interest in his students and trainees."

Louise Rogers said of her husband: "He got a huge charge out of watching his students go on to have triumphs in their own careers. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and he loved children and loved to amuse them."

Paradise said Rogers was especially interested in community health. "What he wanted to do most, I think, was to extend the fruits of medical knowledge to the community."

At the medical school, Rogers co-directed the Western Pennsylvania Health Preceptorship Program, which provided community-based clinical experience for about 70 students each summer. He also was director of the school's Student Summer Research Program, which provided basic and clinical science experience for 40 students annually.

In the 1960s, Rogers helped develop the Matilda Theiss Center in the Hill District, one of the city's first health centers. He served as the center's director for 19 years.

Rogers was a consultant with the Allegheny Health Depart-ment's Technical Review Committee for Infant Mortality, as well as for Pittsburgh Children's Hospital Institutional Board, reviewing research applications for their scientific merit.

"He was looked to for advice in a variety of research activities," Paradise said. "He was just a wealth of information in the community health field."

Rogers was an adviser to many local agencies, including Allegheny County Easter Seal Society, the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, United Way of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public School District, Keystone Oaks School District and the Pennsylvania State Health Department.

He was on the board of Pittsburgh Black Action, 1970-1985, serving as the organization's president from 1974 to 1976.

Rogers was a member of, or consultant to, several organizations, including the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Board of Medical Examiners, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, the International Epidemiology Association, the National Academy of Science and the National Center for Health Services Research.

Among his many honors were the President's Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics; Physician of the Year 1989 from Pitt's School of Medicine alumni; Pediatrician of the Year 1995 from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; a special award for services to the Navajo people from the U.S. Public Health Service; the University of Lourence Marques Award for national child health service to Mozambique, and the Thaddeus Campbell Award for his contributions to the development of the University of Pittsburgh.

Louise Rogers said gardening was her husband's favorite way to relax. "He loved the land and he loved to work the land," she said.

In addition to his wife, who resides in Valencia, Rogers is survived by his sister, Ruth R. Netherland of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Dr. Kenneth D. Rogers Fund for Community Pediatrics at Children's Hospital.


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