Morris Ziff
Encyclopedia
Morris Ziff November 19, 1913-August 22, 2005) was a physician, educator and researcher specializing in arthritic and rheumatic disorders, possibly best known for helping discover the rheumatoid factor
.
Ziff was born in Brooklyn, New York and educated at New York University, where he was lab partners with Severo Ochoa
, a Nobel Prize winner. He earned a doctorate in chemistry in addition to a medical degree. His work at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School beginning in 1958 led to his establishment of the school's rheumatology
unit, which would become one of the most renowned units in the United States.
During his lifetime, Ziff was awarded the Heberden Medal, the Carol Nachman Prize in Rheumatology, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Foundation
. He was one of the first holders of an Arthritis Foundation Fellowship, awarded the First Gold Medal of the American College of Rheumatology. In 1981, he was named an Ashbel Smith
professor, and retired as Chairman of Rheumatology, but continued to privately research and practice until 1999. At the time of his death, he was professor emeritus and held the Morris Ziff Professorship in Rheumatology.
Rheumatoid factor
Rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody most relevant in rheumatoid arthritis. It is defined as an antibody against the Fc portion of IgG. RF and IgG join to form immune complexes that contribute to the disease process...
.
Ziff was born in Brooklyn, New York and educated at New York University, where he was lab partners with Severo Ochoa
Severo Ochoa
Severo Ochoa de Albornoz was a Spanish-American doctor and biochemist, and joint winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Arthur Kornberg.-Early life:...
, a Nobel Prize winner. He earned a doctorate in chemistry in addition to a medical degree. His work at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School beginning in 1958 led to his establishment of the school's rheumatology
Rheumatology
Rheumatology is a sub-specialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, devoted to diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Clinicians who specialize in rheumatology are called rheumatologists...
unit, which would become one of the most renowned units in the United States.
During his lifetime, Ziff was awarded the Heberden Medal, the Carol Nachman Prize in Rheumatology, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Foundation
Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the United States....
. He was one of the first holders of an Arthritis Foundation Fellowship, awarded the First Gold Medal of the American College of Rheumatology. In 1981, he was named an Ashbel Smith
Ashbel Smith
Ashbel Smith was a pioneer physician, diplomat and official of the Republic of Texas, Confederate officer and first President of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas.-Early life:...
professor, and retired as Chairman of Rheumatology, but continued to privately research and practice until 1999. At the time of his death, he was professor emeritus and held the Morris Ziff Professorship in Rheumatology.