In memory of Dr. Barbara T. Murphy, 1964–2021

Barbara Therese Murphy, MD, MB, BAO, BCh, FRCPI, widely beloved and world-renowned transplant nephrologist, scientist, visionary, passed away on June 30, 2021, at the age of 56. was born in 1964 South Dublin, Ireland. After attending medical school Royal College Surgeons Ireland, she completed internship, residency, clinical nephrology training Beaumont Hospital Dublin. Presaging Barbara’s future selfless devotion to helping those need, while school, worked a refugee camp near border between Thailand Cambodia. This area dangerous due threats from Khmer Rouge, narrowly escaped injury an explosion local marketplace. inspired pursue career treating researching kidney disease immunology by patient met as student then cared for during her had developed end-stage juvenile rheumatoid arthritis secondary amyloidosis, received transplant.1Langan S. A second chance life. Irish America. August/September 2016.https://irishamerica.com/2016/08/a-second-chance-at-life/Date accessed: July 3, 2021Google Scholar experience led further United States, where fellowship Laboratory Immunogenetics Transplantation Brigham Women’s Boston under mentorship Dr. Charles Carpenter Mohamed Sayegh 1997. completing Boston, recruited be Director Transplant Nephrology Icahn School Medicine Mount Sinai New York City 1997, built one most robust programs country. Amid HIV crisis face resistance, helped establish feasibility performing transplants patients with HIV. In 2004, appointed Chief Division Sinai, next 8 years, leadership, division experienced rapid expansion its services, programs, research funding. promoted Chair Samuel F. Bronfman Department 2012, only woman chair any department top 20–ranked States. Only 1 year later, underwent massive after merging another large hospital system. instrumental integrating several hospitals became combined Health System, which is largest country, including 7 more than 2000 faculty. She also Dean Clinical Integration Population Sinai. As internationally celebrated academician, served President American Society President-Elect 2021. past June, inaugural Trailblazer Award “extraordinary contributions care, research, education well advocacy, creativity, entrepreneurialism, community service.” Among many additional honors, named Nephrologist Year Kidney Fund 2011 improving dialysis care City; among Annual America Healthcare Life Science 50 Top Power Women 2016; Crain’s “Notable Care” 2018. numerous honorary doctoral degrees universities schools. Though initially planned become full-time clinician rather researcher, international leader field genomics research—a that did not even exist start training. lab, continuously funded National Institutes since focused genetics organ transplantation. Her groundbreaking used high-throughput genomic technologies understand immune mechanisms lead allograft loss. goal identify gene expression profiles or genetic variants would predict patients’ risk disease. addition, laboratory took systems biology approach factors promote fibrosis. 2007, launched Genomics Chronic Allograft Rejection (GoCAR) study, prospective, multicenter involved researchers 5 U.S. Sydney, Australia. The this study use outcomes specifically set could development 13 genes published Lancet 20162O’Connell P.J. Zhang W. Menon M.C. et al.Biopsy transcriptome profiling chronic injury: multicentre, prospective study.Lancet. 388: 983-993Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (127) Google recipients loss before irreversible damage thus allow opportunities therapy modification prevent progression sought bring insights bedside improve lives patients. 2018, Scientific Advisory Board RenalytixAI, artificial intelligence–enabled vitro diagnostics company whose detection, management, treatment. Last year, co-founder board member Verici Dx, advanced transplantation translate findings into practice. While important implications transplantation, broaden impact other transplantations, disease, immune-mediated diseases. Throughout career, remained staunch advocate AST Public Policy Committee, fought elimination 3-year limit Medicare eligibility who were successful recipients, ultimately reality 2021.3Gill J.S. Formica R.N. Murphy B. Passage Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Patients Act—a celebrate reflect.J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021; 32: 774-776Crossref (8) epicenter coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spring 2020, leadership allowed accommodate increased numbers hospitalized developing effective health workforce redeployment strategy.4Kang K. Galler R. Nagula al.A primer deployment medicine floors Covid-19. NEJM Catalyst: Innovations Care Delivery. May 4, 2020.https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.20.0180Date integral Center Post-COVID center seeks have COVID-19 treat better long-term sequelae such champion diversity inclusion initiatives persons underrepresented groups beyond. immigrant first came States J-1 Visa later Green Card through Diversity Immigrant Lottery Program (with assistance brother Kieran submitted application), avid supporter rights access immigrants employment trainees. exceptional teacher mentor. Numerous trainees went investigators assumed positions around world, Bernd Schröppel, currently University Ulm, Germany; Madhav Menon, Research Yale Medicine; Samira Farouk, Assistant Professor Medical Education Associate Fellowship Moreover, time Medicine, unwavering support hundreds fellows residents benefitted guidance. Barbara's brilliant professional achievements accolades too-short life remarkable. However, great fortune know her, it these made so special beloved. nurturing steadfast mentor prioritized personal happiness well-being faculty addition their goals. possessed rare combination fearless determination overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges others yet genuinely humble person fiercely loyal friend sharp wit wickedly funny sense humor. At 2018 graduation ceremony alma mater said graduates “you cannot if you live shadows afraid fail upsetting others. Success about abstracts, papers, awards, titles. It having positive others, meaningful change.”5Barbara M.D. honored Ireland | Today. 16, 2018.https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/barbara-murphy-md-honored-by-her-alma-mater-in-ireland/Date achieved remarkable success doing so, improved enriched countless incredibly rich outside work, devoted mom son, Gavin; loved attend theater opera husband, Peter Fogarty; enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking friends family. survived husband; son; sister, Celine Murphy; brother, parents John Anne Murphy. absence will felt deeply all lucky enough global communities. pioneering commitment continue inspire generations. authors like thank Fogarty, Rulan Parekh thoughtful preparation manuscript.