Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 | 4 to 5 p.m.
Penn State College of Medicine Junker Auditorium and via Zoom
Michael H. Creer, MD
Laurence M. Demers Professor in Pathology
Division Chief, Laboratory Medicine
Director, Clinical Laboratories
Vice Chair, Clinical Laboratory Operations
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Dr. Creer attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, where he completed his BS in chemistry, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the University Merit Scholarship as the Outstanding Undergraduate in Chemistry. Following early decision acceptance, he subsequently attended the University of Utah College of Medicine and, along with his medical degree, received the Dean’s Award in Biochemistry at graduation. Dr. Creer decided to pursue a career in basic medical science and spent his first post-graduate year as a fellow at the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute at the University of Utah. His research focused on mathematical modeling of ventricular fibrillation (VF), and he developed a keen interest in the pathologic biochemical and electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying VF, the primary cause of sudden cardiac death and demise from Acute Coronary Syndromes. To further pursue these interests, he sought additional combined resident and fellowship training in laboratory medicine and cardiology at Washington University in St. Louis. Here, he served as chief fellow in clinical chemistry, followed by a joint faculty appointment in cardiology and laboratory medicine, where he continued his basic science research.
Dr. Creer is a past recipient of a Merit Review Research Career Development Award and has been awarded over 18 NIH, VA Merit Review and American Heart Association grants to support his research in cardiovascular biochemistry of plasmalogen selective calcium-independent Phospholipase A2, the role of eicosanoids in platelet and endothelial cell biology and mechanisms of thrombin generation and thrombin-mediated protease activated receptor stimulation. He has authored or co-authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and 17 book chapters and was the editor and primary contributing author of a book titled Practical Handbook of Cell Therapy Cryopreservation. Over the past several years, Dr. Creer has focused on translational research, for which he has been the PI on 17 industry-sponsored, clinical chemistry laboratory and point-of-care related studies.
About the Laurence M. Demers Professorship in Pathology
With their leadership support, Dr. Laurence and Mrs. Susan Demers have established the first donor-funded endowed professorship in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Originally created in 2003 as a career development professorship in pathology and medicine, the enhanced fund now supports a full professor and outstanding clinical pathologist with resources to further their contributions to teaching, research and public service.
Dr. Larry Demers is distinguished professor emeritus of pathology and medicine at Penn State College of Medicine. He was the founding director of clinical chemistry and the endocrine laboratory at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
He has served as president of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and on the editorial boards of several academic medicine journals, published hundreds of papers, edited seven books and conducted groundbreaking research in biochemical endocrinology, laboratory automation, metabolic bone disease and breast cancer.
Sue has been a member of the Association of Faculty and Friends, Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health since its inception and has served on many committees, including co-chairing the Kalenak Golf Tournament in memory of Dr. Alex and Mrs. Kay Kalenak, which raised over $250,000 to support the Penn State Health Palliative Care Center. She continues to serve with the Palliative Care Volunteer Group. Larry and Sue reside in Hummelstown.