Louis P. Dehner, MD, Professor of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine, has received the Barnes Jewish Hospital Medical Staff Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Dehner, or “Pepper,” as he is fondly known by colleagues, is one of two individuals selected for the award, which is given to outstanding clinical faculty each year who have devoted more than 25 years of service to BJH/Washington University School of Medicine.
“It is very appropriate that Dr. Dehner is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, the first pathologist to be so honored. Pepper is an internationally renowned and revered pathologist who has touched the lives of countless numbers of patients. He is regarded as an international expert in surgical pathology and receives difficult consultation cases from around the world every day. In addition to Pepper’s dedicated clinical service and academic accomplishments, he has mentored and trained at least two generations of surgical pathologists. His commitment to resident and fellow education remains strong even at 83 years of age. Many of Pepper’s trainees have gone on to lead pathology programs throughout the United States. This department is so very fortunate to have Pepper as a leader and longtime member of the faculty,” said Richard J. Cote, MD, FRCPath, FCAP, Edward Mallinckrodt Professor and Chair in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine.
“Dr. Dehner is not only an internationally recognized pathologist, he is a wonderful colleague and mentor to generations of pathologists who have trained at Washington University School of Medicine. This is a well-deserved honor and even more so being the first pathologist to receive the MSA Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Joseph P. Gaut, MD, PhD, Ladenson Professor of Pathology and Immunology and Division Chief of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Dehner completed his medical training at Washington University School of Medicine, earning an MD in 1966 before completing his residency and fellowship at the university. After joining the faculty in the Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dr. Dehner revitalized the Division of Anatomic Pathology including the Surgical Pathology service.
“Pepper is singularly responsible for revitalizing Anatomic Pathology on his return to Washington University as Director of that service in 1989. Within a few short years, Surgical Pathology at Washington University was once again viewed as one of the very best divisions in the United States if not the world. This translated into tremendous academic output and created an environment for resident and fellow training that once again helped to educate another generation of outstanding practitioners and future leaders in Pathology. First as a resident and then as a faculty colleague, I have witnessed first-hand his outstanding diagnostic skills which literally changed the life of a multitude of patients. Pepper exemplifies the model of a true academic pathologist to a greater degree than anyone I have ever worked with,” said Jon H. Ritter, MD, Professor of Pathology and Immunology and Director of the Surgical Pathology Fellowship in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Dehner will be honored at the Medical Staff Association’s Semi-Annual dinner on November 9, 2023, at the Eric P. Newman Educational Center at Washington University School of Medicine.
