We are sad to announce that Ann Streissguth, PhD, an internationally renowned expert on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and a former faculty member in our department, died peacefully at home of natural causes this summer. After examining alcohol-related births at Harborview, Dr. Streissguth and colleagues published the first study identifying “fetal alcohol syndrome” in the United States and its link to maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Ann spent her career educating women and the public that drinking during pregnancy can cause lifelong harm to the baby.

Ann graduated from high school in 1950 and was the first in her family to attend college (Oregon State University), with the help of a Spreckels Sugar scholarship, won by her angel food cake baking skills. Ann graduated magna cum laude in 1954 with a BS in Home Economics Education. She earned an MS degree from UC Berkeley in 1959 and a PhD in Psychology from the UW in 1964. After completing several clinical training programs, Ann was given an instructorship in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and she was a valued and highly accomplished faculty member in our department for her entire career. Ann retired in 2005 but her work continues through the UW Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit (FADU) which she founded in 1974. Susan Stoner, PhD, is the current director of FADU and the holder of the Ann Streissguth Ph.D. Professor of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Many wonderful obituaries were written about Dr. Streissguth over the last two months including one by FASD United that contains touching testimonials and one by Streissguth Gardens which she and her husband Dan gave to the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation in 1996.

We are also sad to share the recent passing of Peter Maxim, MD, PhD. Peter was a talented and highly accomplished psychiatrist, teacher and researcher. As a former director of our Psychiatry Residency Training Program, he was a steady presence and a big supporter of our trainees. A native of Massachusetts, Peter earned an MD from Yale and a PhD from Stanford. He then moved to Bellevue and joined our department where he taught residents, conducted research, and saw patients for several decades. His approach to psychotherapy was eclectic, focusing empathetically on the person and incisively on the process. He was deeply gratified by his patients’ comments about how he had helped them understand ways to evolve and valued as a trusted colleague for many of us. Peter also served on the Bellevue Park Board during a period of explosive growth and is fondly remembered for his contributions and advocacy for parks and the environment.