Clement Finch

Clement Alfred Finch (July 4, 1915 – June 28, 2010) was an American physician specializing in hematology whose research on iron metabolism in the bloodstream at the University of Washington led to significant advancements in accurately diagnosing and treating anemia during a time period in which little was known about this aspect of the body. Finch was distinctively noted for using himself as a test subject by taking blood and bone marrow from his own bones before conducting similar tests on patients. He graduated in 1941 from the University of Rochester Medical School and a year later was married to the first of three wives. He experienced a 60-year tenure at the University of Washington, and has published many scholarly articles pertaining to iron in the bloodstream and is the author of three books entitled: Iron Metabolism, Red Cell Manual (1969) and Fulfilling the Dream: A History of the University of Washington School of Medicine 1946 to 1988 (1990). Finch was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in 1974, and elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1976.

Finch's studies are importantly recognized as significant in helping the World Health Organization make dietary recommendations for developing countries to aid in preventing anemia and poor development.

Early life Finch was born in Broadalbin, New York, on July 4, 1915, into a line of physicians which included both his father and grandfather. He researched and published studies on transferrin in the blood such as intact transferrin receptors in human plasma, human deferric transferrin's interaction with reticulocytes, the uptake and release of iron in human transferrin, rat transferrin and gene expression, the iron binding sites of human transferrin, its saturation, and clinical implications.

Other studies conducted by Finch showed how iron is used in the blood to manufacture hemoglobin. He additionally showed that hemochromatosis which causes the body to absorb too much iron from food consumption could be treated through periodic bleeding. He described how the body tries to maintain adequate stores after significant iron stores are depleted during menstruation and recommended that most women take supplements to prevent them from suffering signs of iron deficiency such as fatigue. He showed how to extend the life of blood stored to transfuse injured soldiers, work inspired by his desire to help serve his country after being unable to serve in the military.

Research in the early 1960s by Finch showed that most women were not getting enough iron in their diet and suggested that supplements be taken by women to avoid problems such as fatigue caused by iron deficiency.

Death Finch died on June 28, 2010, at his home in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego at the age of 94 and is survived by his wife Genia Finch, two children from his first marriage, Clifton Finch and Carin Finch Barber, two children from his third marriage, Lisa Finch and Derel Finch, and three grandchildren, LiLi Finch, Oliver Finch, and Samuel Finch.

Publications

7th ed, F.A. Davis, 1996.

Body iron excretion in man: A collaborative study The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 45, Issue 3, September 1968, Pages 336-353 Ralph Green, Robert Charlton, Harold Seftel, Thomas Bothwell, Fatima Mayet, Barry Adams, Clement Finch, Miguel Layrisse Evaluation of storage iron by chelates The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 45, Issue 1, July 1968, Pages 105-115 Laurence A. Harker, Donald D. Funk, Clement A. Finch Iron stores in man The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 11, Issue 5, November 1951, Page 629 Alexander R. Stevens Jr., Clement A. Finch Iron storage disease Journal of Chronic Diseases, Volume 2, Issue 2, August 1955, Pages 232-233 Clement A. Finch Clinical syndrome of potassium intoxication The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 1, Issue 4, October 1946, Pages 337-352 Clement A. Finch, C.Glenn Sawyer, John M. Flynn Pathophysiologic aspects of sickle cell anemia The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 53, Issue 1, July 1972, Pages 1-6 Clement A. Finch Effects of iron status on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity Biochemical Medicine, Volume 18, Issue 3, December 1977, Pages 323-329 Robert F. Labbé, Clement A. Finch Intact transferrin receptors in human plasma and their relation to erythropoiesis Blood, Jan 1990; 75: 102 – 107. HA Huebers, Y Beguin, P Pootrakul, D Einspahr, and CA Finch Quantitation of ferritin iron in plasma, an explanation for non- transferrin iron Blood, Apr 1988; 71: 1120 - 1123. P Pootrakul, B Josephson, HA Huebers, and CA Finch The effect of erythroid hyperplasia on iron balance Blood, Apr 1988; 71: 1124 - 1129. P Pootrakul, K Kitcharoen, P Yansukon, P Wasi, S Fucharoen, P Charoenlarp, G Brittenham, MJ Pippard, and CA Finch Erythroid marrow function in anemic patients Blood, Jan 1987; 69: 296 – 301. M Cazzola, P Pootrakul, HA Huebers, M Eng, J Eschbach, and CA Finch Transferrin saturation, plasma iron turnover, and transferrin uptake in normal humans Blood, Oct 1985; 66: 935 - 939. M Cazzola, HA Huebers, MH Sayers, AP MacPhail, M Eng, and CA Finch A mono-sited transferrin from a representative deuterostome: the ascidian Pyura stolonifera (subphylum Urochordata) AW Martin, E Huebers, H Huebers, J Webb, and CA Finch Blood, Nov 1984; 64: 1047 - 1052. Transferrin: physiologic behavior and clinical implications HA Huebers and CA Finch Blood, Oct 1984; 64: 763 - 767. The significance of transferrin for intestinal iron absorption HA Huebers, E Huebers, E Csiba, W Rummel, and CA Finch Blood, Feb 1983; 61: 283 - 290. Ferrioxamine excretion in iron-loaded man MJ Pippard, ST Callender, and CA Finch Blood, Aug 1982; 60: 288 - 294.