In Memoriam: James Luby
James P. Luby, M.D., a Professor Emeritus in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, died peacefully Saturday, April 4, surrounded by his family. He was 91.
Dr. Luby was one of the longest serving faculty members in the Department of Internal Medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree with highest distinction from Northwestern University, where he also received his medical degree with distinction. He completed residency training at Northwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital, including a year as Chief Resident, followed by a fellowship in infectious diseases at UT Southwestern.
After completing his training in infectious diseases, Dr. Luby was recruited in 1967 by Donald Seldin, M.D., to join the faculty of the nascent Department of Internal Medicine and spent more than five decades shaping the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. He served as Chief of the Division from 1975 to 1997 and later led the viral diagnostics laboratory at Parkland Memorial Hospital from 1970 to 1987, continuing that work after the lab moved to UT Southwestern’s Department of Pathology through 2012.
He was instrumental in establishing Parkland’s first clinical AIDS program in 1985 and served on the hospital’s AIDS Task Force from 1985 to 1987. He also served as Chief of Infectious Diseases at Parkland, from 2008 to 2014, and directed infection control efforts at UT Southwestern during his tenure. His research and clinical work spanned virology, arboviral infections, HIV, hospital-acquired infections, and histoplasmosis.
“Dr. Luby was a luminary in the field of infectious diseases and a treasured faculty member,” said J. David Beckham, M.D., Professor and Division Chief of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. “He touched many lives through the years, and we will all miss him tremendously.”
Before joining the UT Southwestern faculty, Dr. Luby served from 1964 to 1966 as an officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the U.S. Public Health Service, stationed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. His work included investigating outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis and participating in a joint U.S.-India evaluation of malaria eradication efforts.
Dr. Luby was a Fellow of both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American College of Physicians. He served as President of the Texas Infectious Diseases Society from 1992 to 1993. Among his many honors, he received UT Southwestern’s Leadership and Clinical Care Award in 2013, the Dallas County Medical Society’s Max Cole Leadership Award in 2013, and Parkland’s Heroes of Our Heritage Award in 2008. He was repeatedly recognized for excellence in teaching and served as graduation marshal several times.
He mentored generations of medical students, residents, and fellows, including through the Academic Colleges program. In 2016, UT Southwestern established the James P. Luby, M.D., Professorship in Infectious Diseases in his honor. It is currently held by Michael Shiloh, M.D., Ph.D.
“Dr. Luby set a standard for what it means to be a physician-scientist,” said Dr. Shiloh. “He combined intellectual rigor with deep commitment to patients and trainees, and in doing so shaped the culture of our Division in lasting ways. He taught infectious diseases in a way that emphasized clear thinking and clinical judgment, and his influence will continue to guide us for years to come.”
In recognition of his legendary contributions to teaching of generations of medical students, residents, and fellows, the Department named one of its teaching services in his honor in 2025.
“Dr. Luby’s influence extended far beyond infectious diseases,” said Ezra Burstein, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Interim Chair of Internal Medicine. “He embodied the values of our Department, and his dedication to patient care and education left an imprint that will endure.”
James Phillip Luby was born May 30, 1935, in Chicago to William W. Luby, a transit system shop worker, and Margaret M. Luby, a homemaker. He was the youngest of three sons. He married Lynne Josette Mordaunt, an investment banker, in 1968. She survives him.
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Dr. Beckham holds the Jay P. Sanford Professorship in Infectious Diseases. Dr. Burstein holds the Berta M. and Dr. Cecil O. Patterson Chair in Gastroenterology.