In Memoriam: Sanford Stass, MD, Longtime Chair of the Department of Pathology and the Department of Medical & Research Technology

The University of Maryland School of Medicine Community mourns the passing of one of its most distinguished long-time faculty members and department chairs, Sanford “Sandy” A. Stass, MD. A former chair of the Department of Pathology and Department of Medical & Research Technology, Dr. Stass stepped down in early 2024 from his leadership roles but continued as a Professor of Pathology until his retirement in November 2024. He passed away on September 9 at age 82. 

During his more than 30-year career at the UM School of Medicine, Dr. Stass pioneered discoveries in the molecular biology of leukemias and lymphomas, profoundly shaped the trajectory of the two departments he headed, and helped establish the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) as a top-tier cancer center. He also managed laboratory operations that were crucial to Maryland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading a large-scale rapid testing effort that processed more than 750,000 COVID tests for the State of Maryland.

Dr. Stass is widely known for his major contributions in the molecular biology and immunologic characterizations of leukemias and lymphomas, particularly as a researcher in biomarker development and validation. He was the principal investigator on a grant funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 2005 through his retirement, where he worked toward the development and testing of promising new lung cancer biomarkers. He published more than 230 peer-reviewed articles during his career.

"Dr. Stass was a leader, brilliant scientist, and deeply compassionate colleague whose legacy has made an enduring impact on the Department of Pathology,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean of the UM School of Medicine. “His widely recognized research in hematopoietic neoplasia and cancer biomarkers, along with his extraordinary leadership in scaling COVID testing during the pandemic, reflect his lifelong commitment to advancing science in the service of others. Above all, Dr. Stass cared deeply for the Department and its people, fostering a culture of excellence, mentorship, and humanity that will continue to inspire us.”

Dr. Stass joined the UMSOM community in 1994 as the Vice Chair for Hospital Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Director of the University of Maryland Medical System's Laboratories of Pathology. He was named Chair of the UMSOM Department of Pathology in 2003 and became Chair of the Department of Medical & Research Technology in 2009, serving in both roles until February 2024.

He also served as the Director of the initial UMGCC Program in Oncology from 1997 through 2003, and was the principal investigator on the NCI grant that ultimately led to the cancer center’s certification as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. His presentations to the Maryland General Assembly in 2000 were instrumental in the creation of the state’s Cigarette Restitution Fund, which provides crucial funding for UMGCCC operations to this day.

"Dr. Stass’s 30-year tenure shaped the UMMC Laboratories of Pathology and the UMSOM Department of Pathology into what they are today,” said Paul Staats, MD, Professor of Pathology at UMSOM and Interim Chair of Pathology and the Department of Medical & Research Technology. “He was an outstanding academic pathologist and cared a great deal about the departments of Pathology and Medical and Research Technology, taking great pride in their success." 

During his career, he has had numerous professional affiliations, including Director and Founder, Molecular Diagnostics Associates, Molecular Oncology Testing, UT MD Anderson; Scientific Advisory Board, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Department of Defense; Chair, NIH/NCI/EDRN Collaboration. He was Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Hematopathology and Molecular Hematology; Co-Editor, Hematology Series, Founder and Editor, Diagnostic Pathology Series, Marcel Dekker Inc, and was a Member of the Editorial Board of Molecular Pathology. He also served as Chair, Postmortem Examiners Commission for the State of Maryland and was a Member of the Editorial Board of Cancer Biomarkers.

“Sandy was a very kind and supportive Chair to his faculty and colleagues and was a consummate team player who would always have ideas for the school of medicine to pursue,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA,  Former Dean and CARTI Endowed Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UMSOM. “During the COVID pandemic, he collaborated with our Institute for Genome Sciences to jointly run a statewide COVID testing service. This was a very heavy lift but an example of his generous heart and willingness to serve and support the greater good.”

Dr. Stass earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his medical degree from the University of Missouri before completing his residency programs in Pathology at both the National Regional Medical Center, San Diego, CA, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC. He served on the faculties of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and as a Pathologist and Professor of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, before coming to UMSOM.

A private graveside service for family and close friends is planned for Tuesday, September 16 in Newport News, Virginia. Cards or Flowers can be sent to Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 by Monday September 15.