Dr. Edward D. Viner: A legacy of compassion and leadership
December 6th , 2024
It is with profound sadness that the CMSRU community mourns the passing of Dr. Edward D. Viner, a distinguished physician, educator, and advocate for compassionate care, who passed away on December 1 at the age of 89. Dr. Viner’s extraordinary career spanned decades, during which he made lasting contributions to medical education, healthcare innovation, and humanism in medicine.
“Dr. Viner’s impact on CMSRU and the field of medicine is immeasurable,” said Annette C. Reboli, MD, Dean of CMSRU. “His visionary leadership, dedication to humanistic care, and unwavering commitment to our students and patients will continue to shape the future of medicine for years to come. He was not only a mentor to many but also a dear friend and inspiration to all.”
After graduating cum laude from Harvard College, Dr. Viner earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. His personal experience as a critically ill patient in 1975 inspired him to establish the first hospice program in the Philadelphia region, pioneering the movement for improved end-of-life care. His expertise and passion led him to testify before the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging in 1985, advocating for compassionate care for the terminally ill.
In 1987, Dr. Viner became Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Hospital, a position he held for 20 years. He was instrumental in building an academic Department of Medicine and establishing Cooper’s suburban practice network. Under his leadership, Cooper became the first regional health system in Philadelphia to adopt the hospitalist model for inpatient care.
Dr. Viner was a driving force behind the creation of CMSRU, watching proudly as it became the nation’s 135th allopathic medical school. He was named Honorary First Dean in 2009 in recognition of his role in establishing the institution. In 2015, he founded CMSRU’s Center for Humanism, which was renamed in his honor in July 2024 to recognize his lifelong commitment to patient-centered care.
“Ed was the heart and soul of our Center for Humanism,” said Lawrence Weisberg, MD, director of the Edward D. Viner Center for Humanism. “He believed deeply that the practice of medicine is based on more than science; it requires authentic human connection. Ed worked to ensure that CMSRU was, as he said, ‘a medical school with a soul.’ His dedication to mentoring the next generation of physicians was extraordinary.”
Dr. Viner's numerous accolades include the Philadelphia Caring Award, the American College of Physicians Laureateship, and the Strittmatter Award from the Philadelphia County Medical Society. In August 2024, he was presented with Rowan University’s prestigious Medal of Excellence during CMSRU’s White Coat Ceremony.
Dr. Viner is survived by his beloved wife Judith, six children, and many grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at CMSRU, with details forthcoming.
Dr. Viner’s legacy of compassion, leadership, and humanism will continue to inspire generations of medical students, colleagues, and patients. As Dean Reboli aptly summarized, “His life’s work was a testament to the power of kindness in medicine. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will forever be part of the fabric of CMSRU.”