Dr. Sydenstricker was the epitome of a physician-scientist, a nutrition specialist,
clinical investigator, and medical academician. He was outstanding in research, education
and service for more than 30 years, … a pioneer in the area of nutritional deficiency
diseases… whose work extended nationally and in Europe, both as a civilian and in
the military.
B.A. and M.A. Washington and Lee University (1910 , 1911)
M.D. Johns Hopkins (1915) As a medical student he co-authored studies with Nobel Prize
winner, G. H. Whipple.
Medicine Residency
Johns Hopkins University
Medical Division, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 1919-20
Chair Department of Medicine Medical Collage of Georgia 1922-57
(Mandatory retirement, 1957)
Continued as Prof Emeritus & Chief of Medicine at AVAH, until his death
Active and Productive Researcher; Just a few examples indicated below):
As an intern he developed a system of blood transfusions with stored, citrated blood,
that enabled blood to be “banked”; forming the basis for modem day blood banking and
blood transfusions
As a faculty member, he demonstrated the efficacy of niacin in the prevention and
cure of pellagra AND he described the clinical manifestations of riboflavin and other
vitamin deficiencies; and how replacements cured them.
He was also involved in identifying the pathophysiology of refeeding to semi-starved
individuals, during WWII, leading to current concepts of the requirement for essential
amino acids. in health and disease.
Dr. Sydenstricker gave many national and international honorary lectures, and he received,
numerous awards, including the prestigious: Goldberger Award in Clinical Nutrition,
from the American Medical Association
He was an Outstanding Educator, with numerous accolades from students and trainees
over his illustrious career at the Medical College of Georgia.
To quote Mrs. Feldman: “ He spent his life, in a continuing effort, to bring knowledge
and ability - to the future physicians of Georgia. He was a role model, who provided
compassionate and excellent care to his patients”
In 1979, the then new wing of the MCG Hospital was named for him.
