Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD

Pathology | Anatomic Pathology

1020 Locust Street Jefferson Alumni Hall, Suite 225 Philadelphia PA, 19107 Show map

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Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD is a top Pathology in Philadelphia, PA. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD is a prime example of a true leader in health care. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Philadelphia, PA, Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.

Professional Profile, David S. Strayer, MD, PhD: Connecting the Dots

I am a pathologist, with a PhD degree in Immunology and an MD degree, both from the University of Chicago. I trained in Pathology at Barnes Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis. Since the completion of my residency, I have always worked full-time at academic institutions – first at the University of California, San Diego, then Yale University and the University of Texas, Houston. Since 1992, I have been Professor of Pathology at Thomas Jefferson University. I am the Director of the Autopsy Service at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and actively teach medical students about Pathology and Postmortem Pathology.

My role is to tell the story of people's medical histories, to explain the events that occurred and to help to understand what happened and how it happened. I try to connect the dots, to make sense of the course of their medical events, to make these events understandable.

I have published over 150 original, peer-reviewed articles in professional journals, presented over 200 papers at professional meetings and authored over 75 invited and review articles, books and book chapters. With a colleague at Harvard Medical School, I write and edit a textbook of Pathology, Rubin's Pathology: Mechanisms of Human Disease, currently in its 8th edition. This is one of two major Pathology texts used in medical schools in the English-speaking world, and is translated into several other languages, including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese, for use in medical schools in other countries.

My expertise in Pathology includes many areas of diagnostic pathology, and has focused in recent years on autopsy pathology. In this context, what I do is to help, for each patient, to investigate and to make sense of how each person's medical condition began, how it evolved, how it affected the patient and, finally, how it led to their death.

Accordingly, I have been consulted on, and have written, innumerable Pathology reports, including autopsy reports and analyses, in which I sought to apply the best knowledge and understanding of medical sciences in order to understand how people developed their medical problems, which became serious diseases and, then, how those caused their deaths. I study the details of their medical history in order to try to make sense of what happened to them, for the sake of their families and, often, as an expert consultant for legal professionals who try to determine if and where responsibility for their medical courses and outcomes can be defined.

My background as a pathologist and scientist informs my activities throughout. I have done basic and clinically applied research in tumor initiation and development, AIDS and virus-related immune dysfunction, clinical use of pulmonary surfactant in respiratory distress syndrome in babies and adults, and development and use of gene therapy delivery systems.

I consult for other physicians regularly. I also consult for patients' families and others through the legal profession, and serve as an expert witness in analyzing patients' stories and their medical courses. In this mode, as in my role as autopsy pathologist and Director of the Autopsy Service, I adhere closely to fact-driven analysis. That is, I identify the nature of a patient's problems by careful study of their tissues and other pathologic materials, clinical records, and laboratory and other information. Then, using established knowledge and medical science, I try to put together the patient's medical and health-related narrative, so it can be understood by those to whom the patient and their medical story were important.

I try to find the answers, to fit the pieces together, in order to solve the puzzles of what happened in people's medical stories and how.

Education and Training

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Medical Degree and Doctor of Philosophy 1976

Board Certification

American Board of Pathology

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish, French, German, Italian

Areas of expertise and specialization

PathologyAutopsy ServicesGenomic MedicineMolecular BiologyGeneticsVirologyCell BiologyMolecular CloningDNA FootprintingSite-Directed MutagenesisRegulation of Gene Induction and Repression

Faculty Titles & Positions

Professor Thomas Jefferson University 1992 - Present
Director, Autopsy Service Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 2023 - Present

Awards

Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 Marquis Who's Who
Top Doctors 2020 Albert Nelson Marquis Who's Who
Thomas Nasca MD Award for Distinguished Teaching 2020 Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
SKMC Clinical Educators' Honor Roll 2023 Medical Students, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Dean's Award for Excellence in Education 2013 Jefferson Medical College
Faculty Team Achievement Award 2018 Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

Professional Memberships

College of American Pathologists
American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy

Fellowships

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Surgical Pathology

Internships

Anatomic Pathology, Barnes Hospital and Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Fellowships

Surgical Pathology, Barnes Hospital and Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Professional Society Memberships

College of American PathologistsAmerican Society for Cell and Gene Therapy

Professional Affiliations

College of American Pathologists

Articles and Publications

As of 2024, over 155 original, peer-reviewed articles in scientific and clinical journalsAs of 2024, over 200 abstracts of work presented at international scientific and clinical conferencesAs of 2024, over 75 invited articles, review articles, book chaptersEditor, Rubin's Pathology: Mechanisms of Human Disease, a textbook in pathology, editions #4, 5, 6, 7, 8; beginning #9

What do you attribute your success to?

Hard work and dedication

Areas of research

Gene DeliverySurfactant Biology and ImmunologyViral Oncogenesis

Teaching and speaking

Innumerable clinical and research presentations, both submitted and invited, at international symposia, American and foreign universities and hospitalsTeaching medical and graduate students about surgical and autopsy pathology, virology, infectious diseases, tumor biology, disease pathogenesis, viral oncogenesis, gene therapy, related topics since 1977, continuing through the current day

Hobbies / Sports

Bicycle Riding

Areas of research

Anatomic Pathology

Gene and Drug Delivery and Therapy

Viral Oncogenesis

Immunology and Biology of Human Alveolar Surfactant

Dr. David S. Strayer, MD, PhD's Practice location

Thomas Jefferson University

1020 Locust Street Jefferson Alumni Hall, Suite 225 -
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Get Direction

New patients: 215-503-1087

215-923-7689

Fax: 215-503-1156

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Media Releases

A Leader in Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Dr. Strayer Continues to Drive Advancements in Medical Knowledge and Education

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is proud to announce the appointment of David S. Strayer, MD, PhD, as the new Director of Autopsy Service. Dr. Strayer, who joined the institution in 2023, is a board-certified pathologist with more than four decades of experience in pathology and genomic medicine. His extensive research interests and clinical expertise position him as a leader in the field, focusing on the intersection of molecular biology, genetics, and virology.

Dr. Strayer has a diverse research portfolio that includes groundbreaking studies on AIDS, bioterrorism, and botulinum toxin, as well as significant advancements in gene expression and gene therapy. His expertise extends to cell biology and molecular cloning, with a specific emphasis on DNA footprinting, site-directed mutagenesis, and the regulation of gene induction and repression. Dr. Strayer’s work with poxviruses, SV40, and the interplay of transcription factors and tumor suppressor genes showcases his commitment to understanding complex biological systems and their implications for disease.

Dr. Strayer earned his Medical Degree and Doctor of Philosophy Degree from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1976. He then honed his expertise through an intensive internship, residency, and fellowship in surgical pathology at the renowned Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, setting the foundation for a distinguished career in medicine and research.

Recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology, Dr. Strayer is an active member of the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, further showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing the fields of pathology and genetic medicine.

Since 1992, Dr. Strayer has held a professorial position in the Department of Pathology & Genomic Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College – Thomas Jefferson University. His academic contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education in 2013 and the Faculty Team Achievement Award in 2018. In 2019, he received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, and his recognition as one of Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors in 2020 further underscores his impact in the medical community.

In 2023, Dr. Strayer was honored to be included on the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Clinical Educators’ Honor Roll, a testament to his dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians. His commitment to education and excellence in medical training is reflected in his extensive publication record, which includes over 155 original, peer-reviewed articles and more than 200 abstracts presented at international conferences. He has also authored over 75 invited articles, reviews, and book chapters, sharing his knowledge and insights with colleagues worldwide.

Dr. Strayer serves as the editor of the renowned textbook “Rubin’s Pathology: Mechanisms of Human Disease,” overseeing multiple editions and continuing his leadership into the forthcoming 9th edition. His editorial role solidifies his influence in the field of pathology and ensures that future generations of medical professionals receive a comprehensive education in human disease mechanisms.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Strayer enjoys bicycle riding, which he credits as a valuable outlet for relaxation and reflection amidst his demanding career.

As the Director of Autopsy Service, Dr. Strayer aims to enhance the quality of autopsy practices at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, contributing to the understanding of disease processes and improving patient care. His wealth of knowledge and experience will undoubtedly benefit the institution and the medical community at large.