Dr. Elijah Saunders, a University of Maryland School of Medicine professor and cardiologist who was a leading voice on African-American cardiovascular care, died of cancer Monday at Stella Maris Hospice. The Owings Mills resident was 80.
Colleagues at the University of Maryland said Dr. Saunders was known internationally for his work on hypertension in African-Americans. He taught patients about high blood pressure and the connection between diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
"The School of Medicine joins together with the entire University of Maryland community to mourn the loss of this great pioneer and visionary," said the dean of the School of Medicine, E. Albert Reece, who is also vice president of medical affairs at the University of Maryland.
"Dr. Saunders transitioned with the grace and dignity that was symbolic of how he carried himself each day. He was a giant, a legend who leaves a legacy that will always live on in the hearts and minds of many of us at the School of Medicine," said Dean Reece.
Dr. Saunders, born in Baltimore and raised on Mount Street, was the son of Lawrence and Lillie Saunders. He was a 1956 graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Morgan State University and was a 1960 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He was one of four African-Americans in his medical school class.
He was a resident in internal medicine and a fellow in cardiology at University of Maryland Hospital from 1960 to 1965. A university spokesman said he was the first African-American resident in internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the first African-American cardiologist in the state of Maryland in 1965.
"He was also integral in abolishing segregated hospital wards at what was then University Hospital (now the University of Maryland Medical Center). Despite the challenges, Dr. Saunders followed his own vision for equality in health care, and became a compassionate leader for what was, at the time, an often overlooked patient population," the school's statement said.
Dr. Saunders practiced at the old Provident Hospital and had an office at Garwyn Medical Center for nearly 20 years. He then became a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He did research on hypertension among African-Americans and headed the hypertension division in the Department of Medicine.
"He was personable and warm and had a sense of humor. He didn't take himself too seriously," said Morton I. Rapoport, former chief executive officer of the University of Maryland Medical System. "His patients very much related to him."
Colleagues at the university said his research indicated that some blood pressure medications are more effective for African-Americans. Because of his work, drug companies now require that African-Americans are included in their studies, especially those involving cardiovascular disease.
"He established outreach programs and would take blood pressure readings in barber shops," said a medical colleague and friend, Dr. Louis Randall, a Pikesville resident. "He was a bulwark in terms of hypertension in black men."
He published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and eight books.
"Dr. Saunders was the true definition of the healing physician," said Jeffrey A. Rivest, the president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center. "His positive demeanor and caring disposition for each and every one of his patients, combined with his passion and persistence in finding a cure, made him one of the most revered doctors in Maryland history. He was a tremendous model for all of us in health care to follow."
Dr. Saunders was a founding member and past president of the Association of Black Cardiologists and was also a past president of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks, among other memberships.
He was the 2011 recipient of the Herbert W. Nickens Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Dr. Saunders was selected to receive the Dean's Distinguished Gold Medal "for exemplary life and work" at the 2015 School of Medicine graduation exercises. An endowed professorship is being created in his name.
Dr. Saunders was a founder of the Transformation Church of Jesus Christ, formerly First United Church of Jesus Christ.
Services will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at New Psalmist Baptist Church, 6020 Marian Drive in Baltimore. There will be a family greeting hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 19 years, Dr. Sharon E. Saunders, a geriatrics specialist; a son, Kevin Saunders of Sterling, Va.; two daughters, Dr. Donna Saunders of Finksburg and Monzella Saunders-Owings of Reisterstown; and three grandchildren. His was previously married to Monzella Smith Saunders, who died in 1993.