In Memoriam: Philip Raskin
Philip Raskin, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Endocrinology known for his contributions to diabetes care, education, and research, died on Monday, June 1, after a brief illness. He was 85.
“His work was instrumental in establishing the importance of early glycemic control to prevent diabetic complications,” said Ezra Burstein, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Interim Chair of Internal Medicine. “It truly changed care in profound ways. He will be missed.”
Dr. Raskin served as Director of the Diabetes Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital. His leadership and clinical expertise touched generations of patients and trainees. He was also a principal investigator in several landmark NIH-funded multicenter trials, including DCCT/EDIC, TrialNet, the GRADE Study, and the D2d Study, helping to shape modern diabetes care.
Dr. Raskin was equally known for his deep commitment to his patients and his practical, compassionate approach to care. He often emphasized that the most important work happens beyond the clinic, because his patients were the ones at home checking their levels and giving themselves shots. He tailored care to each individual, teaching them what to do and trying to help them understand how to make adjustments when things changed.
He said he chose to devote his career to diabetes because he believed he could help people with the condition live longer, healthier lives. That belief guided both his clinical care and his research, and it inspired generations of physicians and scientists.
“As Medical Director of the Parkland Diabetes Ward, Dr. Raskin was responsible, over decades, for the care of thousands of the most vulnerable patients with acute diabetes emergencies and complications,” said Perry Bickel, M.D., Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology. “He trained generations of Parkland residents, students, and fellows in how to provide evidence-based care for such patients with compassion and respect.”
Dr. Raskin was also deeply respected for his academic contributions. He served as editor of the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications from 1990 to 2011 and was also a past editor of Clinical Diabetes. His work was widely published in leading journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Diabetes, Diabetes Care, and the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Raskin received many honors, including the J. Denis McGarry Award from the American Diabetes Association (2004), and the Charles H. Best Award for Distinguished Service from the American Diabetes Association (1994). He was named a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (1995) and received the Citation of Merit from the American Physician Fellowship for Medicine in Israel (1991).
Dr. Raskin was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the American Federation of Clinical Research, the American Heart Association, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, the Endocrine Society, the Society for Clinical Trials, the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, the Texas Medical Association, and the Dallas County Medical Society.
“We relied on Dr. Raskin for his deep knowledge of how to care for patients with diabetes and enjoyed his puckish sense of humor,” Dr. Bickel said. “We have lost a great physician, clinical scientist, educator, mentor, and friend. We will miss him as we remain thankful for his time with us.”
Philip Raskin was born on Dec. 31, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to George Raskin, who owned a lumber company, and Phyllis (Freeman) Raskin, a homemaker. He earned his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Washington & Jefferson College before receiving his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He remained there to complete his internal medicine residency training and then served two years as a Captain in the Air Force Medical Corps. He later came to UT Southwestern for fellowship training in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, and then joined the faculty in 1973, remaining a dedicated member of its academic community for 53 years.
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Dr. Burstein holds the Berta M. and Cecil O. Patterson Chair in Gastroenterology.
Dr. Bickel holds the Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine.