We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Elizabeth “Betsy” Mellins, MD

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Elizabeth “Betsy” Mellins, MD on Mar. 24, 2024. Mellins, professor of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, was a groundbreaking pediatric rheumatologist and immunologist, whose laboratory made key discoveries about childhood inflammatory diseases. She was also a dedicated advocate for her specialty, the founder of one of its largest research networks, a tenacious mentor for young scientists, and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

In her lab, Mellins led studies of how genetic variations of immune markers, known as MHC II molecules, contribute to a vulnerability to autoimmune disease. Her team investigated how cells called monocytes function in diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, Still disease, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Her research acumen and tireless work ethic were driven by her profound compassion for children living with autoimmune diseases.

Mellins was born Dec. 16, 1951, in Minneapolis, and grew up in Manhasset, NY. Her father, Harry Mellins, MD, was a radiologist at Harvard Medical School, and her mother, Judith Weiss Mellins, held a Master’s in economics from Radcliffe

College, which later became part of Harvard.

Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” upon graduating from Manhasset High School in 1969, Mellins earned a B.A. from Cornell University in political science and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She then did a post-bac at MIT and went to Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1978. She completed a pediatric residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and a final year of residency and clinical fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at the University of Washington, where she went on to a postdoctoral research fellowship in developmental biology.

In medical school, Mellins met Paul M. Mendelman, MD, then a physician in the U.S. Public Health Service on the Tohono O’odham reservation in Sells, Arizona. They were together for 48 years, marrying in 1980.

Mellins held faculty positions at the University of Washington and the University of Pennsylvania, before being recruited to Stanford as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 1996. Soon after, Mellins recognized the need for a national research network in pediatric rheumatology and founded the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). She is a Distinguished

Fellow of the American Association of Immunologists.

Having entered academia at a time when female physician-scientists were rare, Mellins worked hard to enlarge opportunities for young researchers, especially women. An award-winning mentor many times over, Mellins was known for her compassion, pragmatism, and appreciation of worklife balance.

Mellins deeply valued and had an exceptional gift for human connection. She and her husband loved hosting visitors from all over the world. Mellins and her family also loved art, literature, and live events, attending theater, sports, music, and modern dance with equal gusto. Most importantly, Mellins adored her grandchildren, taking their thoughts and feelings seriously as they dreamed up elaborate imaginary worlds together.

Mellins is survived by her husband, Paul M. Mendelman, MD; son,

Jeff Mendelman; daughter, Lisa Mendelman (David Jack); stepson, Adam Mendelson (Catherine Wallis); grandchildren, Oscar and Aila Mendelman Jack; brother, Tom Mellins (Judy Weinstein); and nephew, Sam Mellins. She was predeceased by her brother, Bill Mellins (Nancy Berliner).

Donations can be made to a named research fund at Stanford: https:// my.supportlpch.org/Mellins