CLEVELAND — Dr. Robert Salata, who spent nearly 40 years as a clinician, researcher and educator at University Hospitals (UH) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), has passed away at the age of 72.
"His impact on both UH and Case Western Reserve is immense. While his talents were honed in Cleveland, Dr. Salata’s impact was felt around the world, and will continue to be," UH and CWRU said of Salata in a joint release.
Salata was one of the most important voices from the scientific community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"His renowned research in infectious disease served as one of the reasons UH became first site for the Remdesivir clinical trial, one of the first treatments for COVID-19, and eventually the Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, where he led that clinical trial," the release noted.
He was also an active principal investigator on HIV/AIDS-related research studies for the Uganda-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration since 1997.
A native of Youngstown, Salata graduated from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in 1979 and went on to serve his internship and residency at UH. After accepting a fellowship at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Salata returned to UH in 1985 as its chief resident and would remain there for the rest of his distinguished career.
At UH, Salata served as STERIS Chair of Excellence in Medicine, physician-in-chief, distinguished physician, senior attending physician, chair of chairs and medical director of infection control and prevention at UH Cleveland Medical Center.
“Bob’s lasting legacy – outside of his family – might be the generations of physicians he inspired and mentored,” said UH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cliff A. Megerian in a statement. “Countless physicians have cited Dr. Salata’s clinical excellence, compassion and genuine interest in them as key factors that guided them through their most difficult moments of training and early academic career development.”
Salata served on the faculty at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine for 36 years. His various roles included the John H. Hord Professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine and founding director of the Infectious Diseases and Immunology Institute. He also held a joint role as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine for nearly 20 years at CWRU and UH.
“Bob was among our most distinguished School of Medicine alumni," added Case Western Reserve University President Eric W. Kaler. "His abiding commitment to advancing health initiatives both in this country and abroad will be among his greatest accomplishments."
Salata is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jody, along with four sons and 11 grandchildren.
Services for Salata will be held Friday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Gesu on 2470 Miramar Blvd. in University Heights. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Robert and Mary Jo Salata Endowment for Excellence at the Eck Center for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or the Gesu School Endowment, 2450 Miramar Blvd. University Heights, Ohio 44118.