Dr. Jan Marc Orenstein, of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully on September 12, at the age of 79, after suffering a massive spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage one week prior. An Emeritus Professor of Pathology at George Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Orenstein remained an active researcher in his retirement, continuing to use electron microscopy to answer questions about HIV, Kawasaki disease, the “myofibroblast”, and cancer.
Dr. Orenstein received his undergraduate degree from the Johns Hopkins University and was one of the first students to complete the MD/PhD program at SUNY Downstate and the first to complete a PhD in Pathology there. During his studies, he spent time at Oxford University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden. In 1971, he began a residency in pathology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. This was interrupted by the Vietnam War during which time he served as a Commissioned Officer in the Public Health Service and ultimately completed his training at the National Institutes of Health. He then joined the medical faculty of George Washington University and spent an extremely rewarding and productive career spanning more than three decades, teaching and mentoring medical students and residents, conducting research, and directing the diagnostic electron microscopy and autopsy services.
He was a pioneer in many areas of HIV/AIDS research as evidenced by his being named the most cited author in HIV/AIDS in the world from 1993 to 1995. More recently, he focused his attention on unravelling the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disease affecting young children. At the time of his death, he had authored or co-authored nearly 300 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited more than 27,000 times in the medical literature.
Predeceased by his parents, George Orenstein and Pauline Blant Orenstein. Beloved husband of Karen Orenstein (nee Finkelstein) to whom he was married for 56 years. Devoted father of Joshua Orenstein (Jacqueline Greene) and Dr. Abigail Orenstein. Loving brother of the late Badonna Hurowitz and Kenneth Orenstein (Barbara Feibelman). Cherished uncle to Peter Hurowitz, Aaron Hurowitz (Rebecca), Matthew Orenstein (Kimberly Starbuck), Clare Feiner (Jacob), Jeremy Finkelstein, and Jared Finkelstein; and adoring grandfather of Alexandra Orenstein, Jacob Orenstein, Rachel Klotz, and Ethan Klotz.
If you'd like to honor Dr. Orenstein's memory, we encourage you to contribute to the American Federation for Aging Research: https://www.afar.org/tributegift
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