Leah Lowenstein

Leah Miriam Lowenstein (née Hiller; June 17, 1930 – March 6, 1984) was an American nephrologist and academic administrator. In 1982, she became the first woman dean of a co-educational, medical school in the United States upon her appointment at Jefferson Medical College. Lowenstein was previously associate dean and professor of medicine and biochemistry at the Boston University School of Medicine. She served in the Carter administration as a medical advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health. Lowenstein was an advocate for women in medicine.

Early life and education Leah Miriam Hiller was born on June 17, 1930, to Sarah Hiller in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She had three sisters. Lowenstein completed her B.S. at the University of Wisconsin. As a semiprofessional cellist, Lowenstein completed most of medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health on a music scholarship. She was awarded the funds for four years and it went unnoticed by the university when she enrolled in medical school during her third year. She earned extra money by playing in a string trio. Completing her doctor of medicine in 1954, she was one of only three women in her medical class. Lowenstein was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha.

She completed her internship at the UW Health University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Lowenstein was a research associate in the department of anatomy at the University of Oxford for three years, where she earned a DPhil at Somerville College in 1958. She completed a residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 1959. In 1960, she completed a fellowship in renal and metabolic diseases at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Tufts. In 1974, she became assistant dean and was promoted to associate dean and professor of medicine and biochemistry in 1977. Lowenstein succeeded interim dean Frank D. Gray Jr. who replaced William Kellow following his death. Lowenstein was Jewish.