Dr. Stoller: leader in practice management
Jill Stoller, M.D., FAAP, of Upper Saddle River, N.J., died unexpectedly Nov. 29 at age 59. Dr. Stoller had experienced long-term complications following COVID-19 illness.
Past chair of the AAP Section on Administration and Practice Management (SOAPM) Executive Committee, Dr. Stoller received the section’s Charles “Buzzy” Vanchiere Award in 2018. She also was a member of the New Jersey Chapter’s practice management committee.
SOAPM members and AAP staff benefited greatly from Dr. Stoller’s guidance and expertise, said AAP CEO/Executive Vice President Mark Del Monte, J.D.
“Jill’s legacy as a leader in the AAP will endure in the lasting friendships, mentored pediatricians and strengthened pediatric practices she leaves behind,” he said.
Dr. Stoller earned her M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1986 and completed her residency in pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and fellowship in ambulatory pediatrics at Jacobi Hospital, Bronx, N.Y. In 1990, she became an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and served as the assistant chief of service for the inpatient pediatric unit, where she helped run a primary care clinic for children infected with HIV.
She joined Chestnut Ridge Pediatrics in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., in 1996 and became a partner in 2001. A decade later, she became the first president and chief executive officer of BCD Health Partners, overseeing a pediatric practice consortium “without walls” focused on improving quality of care and centralizing business operations.
A breast cancer survivor, Dr. Stoller dedicated time to help others affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband, Tim, two adult children, a grandson and her mother.
Dr. Wallace’s death draws attention to Black maternal mortality
Chaniece Wallace, M.D., resident member, of Indianapolis, died Oct. 22 from postpartum complications just days after she and her husband, Anthony, welcomed their daughter Charlotte. Dr. Wallace was 30.
Dr. Wallace had preeclampsia and underwent emergency surgery due to complications, including a ruptured liver, high blood pressure and kidneys that were not fully functioning.
Dr. Wallace held a joint position as pediatric chief resident at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine and pediatric hospitalist with Indiana University Health Physicians. She had completed her categorical pediatrics residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children in June.
Colleagues at IU and pediatricians across the U.S. have shared their condolences on social media along with a call to address the soaring maternal mortality rate for Black women. The maternal death rate for Black women is 2.5 times higher than for White women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/maternal-mortality/index.htm).
Dr. Wallace’s death was an “unspeakable loss” of a young Black woman physician gearing up to make an impact in pediatrics, said Jerry Rushton, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, Indiana University pediatric residency program director, in a written reflection.
“She was just getting started,” he wrote. “I grieve for this loss as much as my own personal sorrow for a lost friend, colleague and leader. I mourn for what future Chaniece had at her feet — all the one-on-one connections; inspiring future young Black women and minoritized youth to be nurses, doctors, scientists or teachers; and for the community at large as I know she would have had such an impact in so many ways.”
Dr. Wallace had recently completed board exams and was interviewing for positions around the country, with the intent to practice primary care in an underserved community.
“This sadness hit home because the last patient I saw was exactly who needs Chaniece. And there are hundreds of these patients out there that need her (and who now need us),” Dr. Rushton wrote.
Originally from Mobile, Ala., Dr. Wallace earned her M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine.
A GoFundMe page has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/charlotte-wallace to assist Dr. Wallace’s husband and daughter.
Dharmendra Gohil, AAP technical support, remembered for generosity, kindness
Dharmendra “Dee” Gohil, M.B.A., AAP technical support representative, was as quick to make you smile as he was to help solve a computer problem. He died Nov. 18 at age 49.
“Dee’s role in IT meant that many of us were fortunate enough to interact with him and benefit from his kindness, warmth and expertise,” said AAP CEO/Executive Vice President Mark Del Monte, J.D.
Known by staff throughout the AAP, Dee is remembered as a good listener who was generous with his time and always willing to lend a hand or an ear to a colleague in need.
“That was Dee in a nutshell, always looking for the positive things in life (even) when we think that there are none,” recalled a colleague.
Dee joined the AAP staff in 2005. When the new AAP Headquarters was being built in Itasca, Ill., colleagues said Dee and his son enjoyed visiting the property to explore the paths and fountains outside the building.
He is remembered as a family man, and AAP colleagues who were his friends said he treated them like family, too.
“To interact with him was to have your life enriched,” said Rob Katchen, senior vice president, Information Technology. “I truly believe that Dee had the soul of a pediatrician and that is why he loved his job so much.”
Born in Surat, India, he moved to Chicago at age 14. Dee earned an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering and M.B.A. from DeVry University. Hobbies included working on cars and motorcycles and photography.
He is survived by his wife, Supriya, son, Dhruv, his mother and two sisters.
Additional deaths
Albert S. Beasley, M.D., FAAP, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., died June 15 at age 98.
Evan Brodie, M.D., FAAP, of Andover, Mass., died Oct. 10 at age 77.
John T. Herrin, M.D., FAAP, of Boston, died Oct. 25 at age 84.
Capt. William M. Hinz, M.D., FAAP, of Grafton, Wis., died Oct. 25 at age 85.
Robert Rettie, M.D., FAAP, of Danville, Ky., died Aug. 19 at age 52.
Shantharaj Samuel, M.D., FAAP, of Lincolnwood, Ill., died Nov. 14 at age 81.
To make a gift in memory of a colleague, visit http://donate.aap.orgor email the AAP Development Office at [email protected].
