Rajiv (Rajeev) Shah, M.D.

Raj graduated from Edgemont High School in New York and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College (in case you didn’t know). He earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Raj completed his residency in pediatrics at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he met his wife, Dr. Lara Ferri. They both went on to pursue successful careers in Pediatrics.

Raj began his career as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Milford Hospital, affiliated with the University of Massachusetts. After the birth of his son Max, he returned to Philadelphia and continued his career as a Pediatric Hospitalist leading to his position as Chairman of Pediatrics at Capital Health, New Jersey. He joined CHOP in 2017 serving first as a pediatric hospitalist and then took the role of Medical Director CHOP at Chester County Hospital’s Pediatric Inpatient Unit. Most recently Raj served as the Medical Director of all the Pediatric Inpatient Programs across the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia regional pediatric affiliate network.

Throughout his career Raj was recognized for teaching excellence and received numerous awards. One of the awards he received was the Dean’s Special Award for Excellence in Pediatrics Clinical Teaching from Drexel University College of Medicine, a distinction he received for ten consecutive years. Most recently, in August 2023, he was recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics and was honored with the Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine Regional Impact Award presented to him at the national Pediatric Hospital Medicine Conference in Philadelphia.

As passionate as he was about his career, he was even more passionate about his family. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lara Ferri, with whom he celebrated 20 years of marriage. His legacy continues through his sons Maximillian (Max) and Alessandro (Lex) Shah who brought him immense pride and joy.

Raj was well known for celebrating his birthday all month long and would be sure to wish you the same (“Happy Birthday Month!”). He knew and understood that life was to be celebrated (especially his birthday) and was convinced he had the original copyright claim to the motto “Life is Good”.

A world traveler, Raj visited almost every continent. He enjoyed traveling with his family, instilling his love of travel in his sons. He combined his love of travel with his love of golf. An avid golfer, Raj took multiple annual golf trips with his golfing friends. He was exceptionally proud of his recent hole in one at Chariot Run in May 2023.

His first loves would always be the Yankees, the Giants, and Superman. In line with his love of sport, Raj took his multiple Fantasy Football leagues VERY seriously and enjoyed many casino and racetrack outings.

Raj enjoyed playing SO many games including billiards, board games, card games, poker, STRAT Football, Scrabble, Words With Friends, NY Times Crosswords and games, and Left Center Right.

He would accompany you to any concert, especially if it was country music or Jimmy Buffett. With a ring tone set to the James Bond theme song, most people could deduce his level of fandom.

“Hello my friend” is how he would greet you along with his warm smile. He was a genuine friend to everyone, so much so that we would often play the “Six Degrees of Raj“ game. A friend of Raj’s was a friend for life.

In addition to his wife and sons, Raj is survived by his parents, Rajat and Chitra Shah, his brother, Rajesh Shah and nephews Alexander (Vaishalie) and Cameron Shah. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Judy Shah.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Raj can be made to the Emergency Fund for Families at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children at www.giving.drexel.edu/stchris (Click on “select another program at St. Christopher’s to support” and then select the “Emergency Fund for Families at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children” and indicate the gift is in honor of Dr. Raj R. Shah).

Checks may be made payable to:

c/o Dr. Renee Turchi – Chair of Pediatrics

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children

160 E. Erie Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19134

Please note in memory of Dr. Raj R. Shah