Dr. Marion Koerper passed away early Wednesday morning, December 18, 2024, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. She was a professor emerita (she would be pleased that I got the Latin correct) of pediatric hematology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the founder of the UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center. Her father and her mother named her Marion with an “o” to help her overcome the gender barriers in medical education during an era when women were rarely admitted to medical schools.
Dr. Koerper was drawn to hematology and developed a profound interest in hemophilia. She worked alongside Dr. Shelby Dietrich, who pioneered the use of team-based meetings to provide comprehensive care at hemophilia clinics. Throughout her career, Dr. Koerper collaborated closely with the National Hemophilia Foundation and the World Federation of Hemophilia on global initiatives to improve care for people with bleeding disorders. Dr. Koerper was involved in many research projects and was widely published:
https://profiles.ucsf.edu/marion.koerper. She was a passionate advocate for her patients and a leader in advancing treatment options worldwide.
Dr. Koerper served as a medical advisor, president, and board member for the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California (HFNC). Dr. Koerper and Susan Karp, RN created a summer camp for children with hemophilia in 1978, which eventually became Camp Hemotion. For over 30 years, she staffed the camp’s infirmary, ensuring that campers received exceptional care and enjoyed a safe and enriching experience. Her dedication extended beyond medicine to mentorship; her wisdom and compassion left an indelible mark on countless lives. If I had a child in my cabin that didn’t want to swim, I’d send him down to the infirmary, saying “If Dr. K says you can’t swim, you don’t have to swim. Otherwise, you’re going into the pool”.
Dr. Koerper played a pivotal role during the AIDS epidemic, which devastated the hemophilia community in the 1980s. Her resilience and leadership were unwavering as she guided patients, families, and colleagues through one of the darkest chapters in medical history. The epidemic’s toll on her patients was deeply personal, yet she continued to fight for better treatments and support systems, even stepping in to lead the HFNC during this challenging time.
Dr. Koerper’s contributions to the field were recognized on a national and international scale. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Hemophilia Foundation and was revered wherever she went. Her legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and dedication to improving the lives of those with bleeding disorders.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Bob Blumberg, their two sons, and two grandsons. As we remember Dr. Koerper’s monumental contributions to the hemophilia community, let us celebrate her extraordinary life and enduring legacy.
Donations in Dr. Koerper’s memory can be made to the HFNC Camp Hemotion Scholarship Fund at the link below.
Forever grateful for her friendship, Randy Curtis
