Frank Oski

Frank Aram Oski (June 17, 1932 – December 7, 1996) was an American pediatrician. After holding several faculty positions at medical schools, he spent several years as the chair of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He was the founder and editor of the journal Contemporary Pediatrics, and he edited one of the most widely read textbooks in pediatrics.

Biography Early life Oski was a native of Philadelphia. When he was young, he was turned off by the personalities of physicians and instead wanted to become a sportswriter or announcer. He graduated from Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Oski's postgraduate training in pediatrics and hematology was completed in Boston.

He held the presidency for both the Society for Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society. He was a 1972 recipient of the E. Mead Johnson Award for excellence in pediatric research.

Anti-milk

Oski was a notable proponent of the anti-milk movement in the United States. In 1977, he wrote a book called Don't Drink Your Milk!. Working with pediatrician Benjamin Spock, he issued messages criticizing the nutritional value of cow's milk.

Later life and legacy Oski died of prostate cancer in 1996. He had retired from Johns Hopkins the year before his death. He was survived by a wife and three children. The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology sponsors the Frank A. Oski Lectureship to honor his memory. Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital named its pediatric intensive care unit after Oski.