Louis K. Diamond (1902-1999)
Louis K. Diamond, MD, is considered one of the founders of pediatric hematology. During his career, he made numerous contributions to the field, including the discoveries of Diamond-Blackfan anemia, Gardner-Diamond syndrome, and Schwachman-Diamond syndrome. Dr. Diamond established one of the world's first pediatric hematology research laboratories at Children's Hospital in Boston. He also directed the American Red Cross's National Blood Program from 1948 to 1950 and helped establish more than 35 regional blood banks.
Dr. Diamond was born in May 1902 in Russia. His family moved to the United States and settled in New York City when he was two years old. He attended Harvard College and received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1927. Dr. Diamond received several awards during his lifetime, including the Mead Johnson Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1946 and the Theodore Roosevelt Medal for Distinguished Public Service in Science in 1964.