Lewis Rowland facts for kids
Lewis Phillip Rowland (born August 3, 1925 – died March 16, 2017) was an important American doctor who specialized in brain and nerve problems, called a neurologist. He was a leader in his field, serving as president of two major neurology groups: the American Neurological Association and the American Academy of Neurology. He also edited a well-known science magazine called Neurology for many years.
Dr. Rowland wrote over 500 science papers. He focused his research on serious diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and muscular dystrophy. For 25 years, he led the neurology department at Columbia University. There, he started special centers to study and help people with muscular dystrophy and ALS.
Early Life and Education
Lewis Phillip Rowland was born in Brooklyn, New York. His birth name was Lewis Phillip Rosenthal. He was the oldest child of Cecile Coles and Henry A. Rosenthal. When Lewis was a teenager, his father changed the family's last name to Rowland. This was because, at the time, some colleges limited how many Jewish students they would accept.
Lewis Rowland went to Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. After high school, he attended Yale University. He earned his first degree there in 1945 and then his medical degree (MD) in 1948.
What Did Dr. Rowland Study?
Dr. Rowland spent his career studying diseases that affect the muscles and nerves. He was especially known for his work on two conditions:
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease): This disease weakens muscles and affects how the brain controls movement. Dr. Rowland helped set up a special center at Columbia University to study ALS and help patients.
- Muscular Dystrophy: This is a group of diseases that cause muscles to weaken over time. He also created a research center for muscular dystrophy at Columbia University.
His research helped doctors and scientists better understand these complex diseases.
Leadership in Neurology
Dr. Rowland was not only a great researcher but also a strong leader in the field of neurology. He held important positions in major organizations:
- He was the president of the American Neurological Association from 1980 to 1981.
- He also served as president of the American Academy of Neurology from 1989 to 1991.
- From 1977 to 1987, he was the editor of the journal Neurology. This is a very important magazine where new research about brain and nerve diseases is published.
Through these roles, Dr. Rowland helped guide the direction of neurology research and patient care in the United States.
