Jewish Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine Passes Away at 97

Dr. Andrew (Shlomo) Schally OBM, a Jewish Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor, and Distinguished Professor at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, passed away in his Miami Beach home over Sukkos 5785.

He was 97 years old.

Dr. Schally studied links between hormones and the brain stem which resulted in him being honored with the 1977 Nobel Prize, shared with Roger Guillemin. This research resulted in significant advances in many cancer treatments.

“Dr. Schally’s discoveries, particularly Lupron, saved countless lives around the world and to serve as his physician during his final years was a tremendous honor and responsibility. Dr. Schally was more than just a patient; he was a prince among doctors, a man whose very life was dedicated to the betterment of mankind,” says Dr. Ami Levin, Dr. Schally’s primary care physician and geriatrician at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

“When I first had the opportunity to care for Dr. Schally, I have to admit I felt quite intimidated. However, as I got to know him and his family, I was struck by how approachable, sincere, kind, and genuinely accepting they all were. Working closely with his wife, Mrs. Maria Schally, and his son, Dr. Gordon Schally, who is also a physician, allowed us to give him the support he needed during his lengthy illness,” continues Dr. Levin.

Born in Poland in 1926, Dr. Schally and his family endured Nazi occupation in Romania during World War II. The experience steeled him against hardship and instilled in him a determination to succeed.

“It was during one of our regular visits that he shared with me, “I am Jewish, my name is Shlomo.” Being Jewish was meaningful to him and he had a lot of stories to tell,” reflects Dr. Levin.

Dr. Schally passed away during Sukkot on October 17, 2024 with his loving family by his side.