SERGIO PIOMELLI Obituary

PIOMELLI--Sergio. Sergio Piomelli passed away at age 92 on January 11, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born March 29, 1931, in Naples, Italy. He graduated from the University of Naples School of Medicine magna cum laude in 1954 and came to the U.S. in 1957 to work as a resident and fellow at Tufts and Harvard University medical schools. A pediatric hematologist, he treated patients and conducted research at Mount Sinai Hospital and as the Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at NYU Medical School from 1964-1979 and at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons from 1979-2005. His work involved red blood cell enzymes, lead poisoning, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia. He developed the national screening test for lead poisoning, was active in the effort to remove lead from gasoline and paint, and served on the CDC's Lead Poisoning Advisory Board. He also directed a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center in New York City. In addition to his service to science and patients, he lived a full life, traveling widely, eating well, driving fast cars, riding his motorcycle into his sixties, tipping generously, and complimenting strangers on how beautiful their children were. Later in life, he loved taking cruises with his wife, Andrea El-Saieh Piomelli, and sitting on their patio with a view of the Catalina Mountains and Tucson. He is survived by Andrea and by his son Ascanio, daughter Fosca, and grandchildren William and Rodick White and Maia and Solana Piomelli. At his request there will be no memorial service anywhere, but donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders.