Dr. Irwin R. Merkatz, of Rye, died at home on Oct. 31, surrounded by loving family. He was 90.
He was professor and chairperson emeritus at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center where he served for 34 years and focused on improving the health and well-being of women and families in the Bronx, Westchester and the greater New York area.
A beloved physician, teacher, mentor, administrator, and researcher, his lifelong passion was advancing the science of perinatology and grooming young physicians of all backgrounds to be scientifically astute and compassionate care-providers. He focused on early identification of women at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and the importance of ensuring early pregnancy care. His seminal work on the relationship between low serum levels of alpha fetal protein and the risk of genetic disorders refined much of the testing that now is a routine component of prenatal care.
His “Grand Rounds” at the medical school were “standing room” only and speakers came from across the globe to address the school community. His passion for advancing obstetrical care extended internationally and included a program in Rwanda whereby obstetricians from Einstein provided service to a rural hospital in efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
Irwin is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth B. Merkatz, PhD, two sons, Dr. Kenneth Merkatz (Sheri Caplan), Andrew Merkatz (Lisa Merkatz), four grandchildren (Clarisa, Samuel, Lucienne, and Sebastian), his sister Carole Karp, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving son Dr. Neil Merkatz.
Irwin was devoted to his family and served as scoutmaster of Troop 662 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where he and his family lived during the early years of his career. He grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan, graduated from Stuyvesant High School, Cornell University (Phi Beta Kappa), and Cornell Medical School, completed internship and residency training in obstetrics & gynecology at The New York Hospital (Weill Cornell), and then served as captain in the U.S. Army.
He completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at UCLA and became one of the first obstetricians to focus on “high risk pregnancy,” which was his life’s work. Upon his retirement he became an active member of Rye Seniors and enjoyed the beauty of the Rye community.