The Marfan Foundation shares with deep sorrow that on Monday, August 10, 2026, we lost our beloved co-Founder, Dr. Reed Pyeritz. Our hearts are with all who loved Reed, especially his wife, Jane Tumpson, and their family, as they navigate this profound loss.
“For so many of us, Reed was a cherished friend – and to the Marfan Foundation community, Reed will always be a true hero,” said Marfan Foundation President and CEO Michael L. Weamer. “Our deepest sympathies are with Jane and the entire family, as well as the countless individuals who knew Reed as a mentor, colleague, friend, trusted clinician, and so much more. Today, the entire Marfan Foundation family mourns the loss of a cherished founder whose impact on our community is immeasurable,” said Weamer.
Reed, together with the late Dr. Victor McKusick and Priscilla Ciccariello, created an organization that continues to thrive in service to the genetic aortic and vascular conditions community 45 years after our inception. Our Founders are responsible for saving so many lives and empowering our community members to enjoy their best lives.
Marfan Foundation Board Chair Bert Medina, who lives with Marfan syndrome, said, “So many of us in the community owe Reed so much. His legacy lives on in all of us, thanks to his dedication. He will be very much missed.”
The Marfan Foundation exists thanks in part to Reed: when working with both Little People and Marfan patients in the late 1970s, Reed noted that there was a national organization and convention for people living with dwarfism. He conceived the idea that a similar organization would be wonderful for the Marfan community. Reed’s concept, when blended with the commitment of several other dedicated individuals – including his mentor Dr. McKusick and Priscilla Ciccariello – grew from a patient-centered idea into the Marfan Foundation. Reed convened health providers for the first time in 1980, and by 1981, the first national meeting of the Marfan Foundation was held at Johns Hopkins. 45 years later, Reed’s rich impact is still felt every single day in each life we touch.
Carolyn Levering, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marfan Foundation, said of Reed’s impact, “Reed’s vision of a better world for those affected with Marfan syndrome became a life-saving and life-affirming reality through his exceptional professional and personal commitment. We owe him a great deal. He will be missed.”
Reed’s accomplishments that have advanced quality of life and longevity for our community are numerous, varied, and profound. Reed co-authored the protocols for systematic diagnosis and treatment of people with Marfan in 1979 and has been instrumental in revising care guidance ever since.
Marfan Foundation COO Judy Gibaldi remembers reaching out to Reed often during the early years of the Foundation when our Help & Resource Center was first established to advise community members. “Reed was amazing. Not only was the ‘Blue Book’ he co-authored the definitive resource about Marfan syndrome, but he was personally willing to answer any questions so that I could relay medically-sound information. My mother would come to the office to help mail the book to community members – sometimes we sent 100 copies a week. Reed was always available to the Marfan Foundation staff and approachable to our community at our in-person conferences. Most importantly, I admire the vision he had to form the Marfan Foundation. Reed is The Marfan Foundation,” said Gibaldi.
Deputy Executive Officer for the Foundation Helaine Baruch, who leads the Foundation’s programming and philanthropic efforts, echoed Gibaldi in honoring Reed’s unfailing commitment. “I was so fortunate to call Reed my friend, and I will always be grateful for the many ways he shared his time, wisdom, and heart with our community. Alongside Jane, Reed was always there to help, whether it was ensuring our community could better understand the medical side of our conditions or taking the time to help a donor understand why their support could make such a difference. He never hesitated to step in and share his knowledge. Reed cared deeply about our community and the people in it, and his kindness and generosity touched so many lives. I will miss him more than words can say.”
After Olympic volleyball trailblazer Flo Hyman lost her life to Marfan syndrome in 1986, Reed’s appearance on Good Morning America brought Marfan syndrome into the national consciousness and resulted in Ciccariello, who was leading the Foundation at the time, receiving more than three thousand letters from people who needed resources, information, and community connection.
Priscilla’s son John shared a statement on behalf of the family. “To my family, he was a guiding light, leading us to a place of understanding and support within a community of doctors, researchers, and others who shared our experiences,” said Ciccariello. “We, and the generations to come, will always be indebted to Dr. Pyeritz for his work with our loved ones… We are all saddened by his loss and express our condolences to the Pyeritz family. Reed’s medical influence, knowledge, connection, and friendship will be missed. Speaking with other brothers, we all feel a strong sense of loss with Reed’s passing. Somehow, great or small, Reed touched our house,” said Ciccariello.
The scientific advances the Marfan Foundation has made over the last four decades simply would not exist if it hadn’t been for Reed’s initial vision and “roll up your sleeves” hard work on behalf of our community. Reed received numerous Foundation honors over time, including our highest honor: the Antoine Marfan Award in 1986.
Chief Science Officer for the Foundation Dr. Josephine Grima, who worked closely with Reed for decades as science evolved said, “As an exceptional physician and visionary founder, he transformed groundbreaking research on beta-blockers into medical therapy and in doing so, changed the trajectory of countless lives.”
Reed organized the first International Symposium on Marfan Syndrome in 1988 and was part of landmark genetic research in the 1990s.
“Reed’s contributions to research were monumental. He spearheaded and participated in an extraordinary number of interdepartmental studies, advancing multidisciplinary approaches to clinical care. And there are the many students he taught, inspiring in them not only knowledge, but a passion for championing people with Marfan syndrome and other connective tissue conditions,” said Marfan Foundation Chief Global Business Development Officer Eileen Novins. “Reed’s impact was enormous, and his legacy will live on in the generations of families he cared for, the students he inspired, the research he advanced, and the community he helped build. He will be sorely missed.”
Despite a career that most would envy in terms of its breadth and prestige, Reed never lost his uniquely human touch, people-centered approach, warmth, caring, humor, and his down-to-Earth manner. In fact, each of those attributes stood out in all Reed accomplished, particularly in his numerous volunteer leadership roles with the Foundation.
Reed’s commitment never wavered. At the 2026 New York City HeartWorks Gala earlier this summer, Reed warmly honored Dr. Alan and Rebecca Braverman and addressed our community for what turned out sadly to be his final time.
“I am so glad that we had special opportunities to be with Reed and Jane over the last several months at important community and volunteer leadership gatherings celebrating 45 years of the Marfan Foundation together,” said Weamer. “Reed personified the word legend. On a personal level, I deeply miss him. We will all carry Reed’s warmth in our hearts as we honor his legacy by advancing science, treatment, and hope for the genetic aortic and vascular condition community he served so well and treasured so deeply.”
Chair-Elect Dr. Braverman noted that the present moment is a time to mourn but also a time to remember and honor.
“Reed was a valued mentor, a wonderful friend, and a guiding light to me and countless other clinicians and researchers. He was a true medical trailblazer who dedicated his life to advancing the understanding and care of people with Marfan syndrome and related genetic aortic conditions—transforming knowledge into better treatment and, most importantly, ever-increasing hope,” said Dr. Braverman.
“The Braverman family feels incredibly fortunate to hold the Pyeritz family so dear. We stand with them and with the entire Marfan Foundation family in this moment of profound grief, while also celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of someone whose impact is immeasurable,” said Braverman.
“Reed’s wisdom, compassion, and spirit will remain with us always.”
Members of the community who would like to share their condolences may sign a digital card here. The Marfan Foundation will share the card with Reed’s family.
At the request of the family, anyone who would like to make a gift in memory of Reed can do so at give.marfan.org/drreedpyeritz.
The Marfan Foundation drives research, education and support – and builds community – to improve outcomes, save lives and empower all people to thrive who are living with Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and related genetic aortic and vascular conditions.