Campus Remembers Peter Scharf and David Clark
Dr. Peter Scharf, an Adjunct Professor at the School of Medicine and prominent and sought after New Orleans criminologist with a specialized focus on violent gun crimes, passed away on Sunday, August 27, after a brief illness at the age of 78.
Interim Chancellor Dr. Steve Nelson described Scharf as “an accomplished member of the faculty of LSU Health New Orleans’ Schools of Medicine and Public Health” and “one of the country’s leading experts in corrections criminal justice research, field assessments, performance metrics, police deadly force training, and the public health aspects of crime.” He added that Scharf “dedicated his life to studying and educating everyone from students to policymakers, law enforcement and the public to develop and implement strategies and policies to prevent or reduce crime.”
Prior to coming to LSU Health, he taught at both the University of New Orleans and Tulane University. He authored several books, consulted with the FBI, ATF and most recently was working with the NOPD and local city leaders.
His life was celebrated on campus earlier this year. His obituary can be found here.
Dr. David Clark, former Section Head of Neonatology and Vice Chair of Pediatrics from 1988 to 1998, died in September from complications of multiple myeloma. Under Dr. Clark's leadership, the Children's Hospital NICU opened, the LSU Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship was re-initiated, and the LSU School of Nursing Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program took shape. He was known as an excellent bedside clinician, educator, and researcher who inspired many future neonatologists over the course of his career including current neonatology faculty members Staci Olister, Dana Rivera, and Brian Barkemeyer.