Gordon Snider, MD, former BUSM faculty member and pioneer lung disease researcher honored by Alpha-1 Foundation

Gordon L. Snider, MD, showed how emphysema is created and changed the direction of lung disease research for decades. He founded the pulmonary section of the Boston University School of Medicine and was chief of medical service at the Boston VA Medical Center for 14 years.

Dr. Snider was honored at a luncheon at the Marriott Boston Cambridge Oct. 23. The Alpha-1 Foundation presented Dr. Snider with a lifetime achievement award at the event, which was attended by more than a hundred of his colleagues and researchers he trained.

In 1968 Dr. Snider created the first formal clinical, research and training program in pulmonary medicine at Boston University. He built an international reputation as a clinician and teacher and his grounding breaking research in creating animal models of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis attracted over 100 physicians and scientists to BU to train over the next 18 years. Among these trainees are now many of the leaders in COPD care and research.

“His contributions to the present day complexion of science in pulmonary are truly immeasurable and incomparable. Few in BUSM’s long history have made such an international impact,” said Gordon and Ruth Snider Professor of Pulmonary Medicine and Chief, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine David Center, MD, Associate Provost for Translational Research, and Trainee class of 1974.