2004 Outstanding Clinician Award

Harry Erba, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Harry Erba’s colleagues will tell you that if you or someone you love is diagnosed with acute leukemia, he is the physician you want in charge of care. In fact, one colleague paid Dr. Erba the highest tribute in declaring that “when members of other physicians’ families are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with acute leukemia, Harry Erba is the one that they see.”

Before Dr. Erba’s recruitment to the Department of Internal Medicine in 1996, the U-M was not a leader in acute leukemia services and programs. At the time, the University was looking for a way to enhance its regional and national expertise in the diagnosis and management of acute leukemia patients, and, simultaneously strengthen its Hematology/Oncology training program. According to one Internal Medicine faculty member, “Despite having a first rate residency program in internal medicine, few of our own residents chose to pursue Hematology/Oncology at Michigan.”

But then Dr. Erba came to town.

Under Dr. Erba’s leadership, the U-M established one of the most successful acute leukemia programs in the nation. The secret to Dr. Erba’s success seems to be a powerful combination of excellent training, encyclopedic knowledge of internal medicine and hematology, passion about every aspect of disease management, and overwhelming dedication to his patients.

While the quantity of patients Dr. Erba handles is impressive, even more impressive is the quality of care he provides.

“He cares for our sickest patients, some of whom develop life-threatening complications of their malignancy within hours of diagnosis, for whom prompt therapy based upon expert clinical judgment and attention to detail can make the difference between life and death,” noted one colleague. And if anyone is capable of making that difference, it is Dr. Erba.

He spends countless hours investigating multiple medical problems and diagnoses in order to make precise and accurate treatment decisions, a process that, according to an associate,“has drawn the marvel of all of his colleagues, not only in Hematology/Oncology/ BMT, but faculty and staff throughout the medical center.”

During Dr. Erba’s eight years at the U-M, the leukemia program has flourished. Dr. Erba’s diligence in enrolling patients in active internal and cooperative clinical protocols resulted in the U-M assuming a leadership role in clinical hematology research.

While patients are the foremost recipients of Dr. Erba’s acumen, his students directly benefit from his abilities and experience, too. Dr. Erba’s colleagues see him as “a fabulous role model for all levels - from subspecialty trainee to medical student.” Fellows also hold Dr. Erba in high regard. In 2002 and 2003 he was voted the division’s “Teacher of the Year.” In addition quantitative evaluations completed by his residents and medical students include more praise and higher marks than those received by any other member of the department faculty.

Dr. Erba’s contributions to the field of acute leukemia are immense. Colleagues call him “the top leukemia physician in Michigan” and “a master clinician” who “exercises superb clinical judgment.” Other great physicians are dedicated to acute leukemia and related conditions, but when you look at Dr. Erba’s cumulative accomplishments, it is no wonder that he is considered Michigan’s foremost acute leukemia expert.

Dr. Erba spends the majority of his free time with his children - playing baseball and tennis, board games, miniature golf and other fun activities. He also finds “alone time” in the early morning hours when he goes running with the family dog. Shortly after the Erbas rescued a dog from the Humane Society in the summer of 2001, his children’s enthusiasm for their canine pal waned and Dr. Erba was charged with daily walking responsibilities. On a January morning walk in the stark Michigan cold, Dr. Erba decided to run instead of walk. Today, he and the dog run three miles every morning before sun rise.

Dr. Erba thanks his wife, Janine, for her overall support at home without which he could not maintain his busy practice. In addition to running the family and making sure Dr. Erba knows where he needs to be, Janine volunteers her time and talent in the Clague School parent-teacher-student organization, provides religious education at their church, and lends a hand with the local Girl Scouts. Dr. Erba also thanks physician assistant Irene Ryan with whom he has worked for the past seven years and who makes it possible for him to care for so many patients while also pursuing his clinical research interests.