by Bill Snyder
Charles Stratton IV, MD, associate professor of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology and of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, died March 21 in Nashville. He was 77.
A member of the Vanderbilt faculty since 1979, Dr. Stratton directed the Microbiology Laboratory and was a former deputy chairman of the Infection Control Committee at VUMC.
“Chuck was a much-loved member of our faculty, particularly involved with resident and fellow education, and we will miss him,” said current laboratory director Romney Humphries, PhD, professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and director of the Division of Laboratory Medicine.
“Dr. Stratton was a compelling teacher of clinical microbiology,” added William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine and Medicine. “He enjoyed nothing more than sitting at the laboratory bench, surrounded by students, residents and fellows, revealing what he saw through the microscope, helping them diagnose an infectious disease in a critically ill patient.”
The author or co-author of more than 200 scientific publications, Dr. Stratton was recognized as an international authority on pharmacodynamics and the mechanisms by which microorganisms including bacteria develop drug resistance. He was a member of numerous editorial boards, professional societies and national committees, and he lectured extensively.
Dr. Stratton earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont, completed a fellowship in infectious diseases in infectious disease/clinical microbiology at the University of Colorado Medical Center, and served on the faculty of the West Virginia University School of Medicine before coming to VUMC.
A member of the U.S. Army Reserve, Dr. Stratton was on active duty with the U.S. Army during the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War and received the Bronze Star for his service. He was a full colonel when he retired from the Army Reserve in 1998.
Dr. Stratton is survived by his three stepchildren, five grandchildren and three brothers. A public memorial service will be held on April 9 at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with the service following at 11:30 a.m. in Wightman Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through www.vanderbilthealth.org/memorialgiving, or to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) to support the research of Brian Balin, PhD, at the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging.
Checks payable to the PCOM Foundation and noting “Dr. Balin’s research in honor of Chuck Stratton,” can be mailed to PCOM Institutional Advancement, c/o Connie Ennis, 4180 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131.