Dean Echenberg, M.D., Ph.D., grew up in a small town in Quebec before moving to Detroit during high school, a transition that left him in awe of the city. With four uncles in the medical field, he set his sights high, but knew the path ahead would be challenging.
He described himself as a struggling student who found it difficult to read and write due to dyslexia. Driven by a passion for learning, he set off for Wayne State University to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Still eager to follow in the footsteps of his uncles, one of whom, Nathan Moss M.D., graduated from Wayne State in 1928, Dr. Echenberg applied to the School of Medicine.
Much to his disappointment, he was denied and told to reapply during the next application cycle. Understanding the demands of medical school, Dr. Echenberg invested a year excelling in science courses and meeting admissions requirements. When he reapplied, his determination was recognized, and he was accepted.
Reflecting on his persistence, he shared his gratitude toward Wayne State University, and the admissions officer who took a chance on him. “I owe so much to the admissions team, and to the philosophy of the School of Medicine, to have them give me another chance. Everything that happened to me was a result of that.”
Even though his dyslexia impacted his ability to read and write, he had a natural intelligence that, paired with the tools cultivated at the School of Medicine, made him an excellent physician.
Dr. Echenberg went on to have an incredible and diverse career. Shortly after graduating in 1966, he became a flight surgeon during the Vietnam War. After completing his service, he returned to San Franciso to establish a Family Medicine practice.
During his years in practice, he also served as the physician for the West Coast’s International Longshoremen and Warehousemen's Union. When the union received a grant to study pesticide exposure among Hawaiian pineapple workers, it turned to him for the research, trusting his expertise. To prepare, Dr. Echenberg enrolled in an epidemiology course at University of California, Berkeley. What began as a single class soon evolved into a deeper pursuit, as his mentors encouraged him to complete a Master of Public Health degree. He enjoyed his studies so much that he decided to stay and earn his doctoral degree in Epidemiology.
His career then led him to serve as the head of Infectious Disease Control in San Francisco at the height of the AIDS epidemic. He also became deeply involved in global health, working as a consultant for international humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs with organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Echenberg showcased his talents in the film industry, serving as executive producer of “The Misty Experiment,” a documentary about the fighter squadron he served with in the Vietnam War.
Additionally, he preserved his experience at war through the art of poetry, diligently curating a collection of war poems and generously donating over 7,000 volumes to The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.Dr. Echenberg sitting in front of books
As Dr. Echenberg eases into retirement, he feels compelled to give back.
“I wanted to give back to the medical school. It has been almost 60 years since I graduated, but I never forgot my roots in Detroit and at Wayne State,” he said.
This desire to support the university that gave him a chance to achieve his dreams prompted him to establish the Dean Echenberg, M.D., Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship in the fall of 2024. The scholarship was created with the intention of supporting students who have demonstrated resilience and perseverance by applying to the Wayne State School of Medicine more than once before gaining acceptance.
“I’ll never forget being accepted into Wayne State School of Medicine. It changed my life,” he said, emphasizing the profound influence he hopes to have on others.
Dr. Echenberg, a passionate advocate for resilient future physicians of the world, is committed to easing the student loan burden medical students face, an average of more than $200,000 nationally. More than providing financial support, he wants each scholarship recipient to know that he stands behind them, believing in their potential, just as an admissions officer once did for him.
To learn more about how to support the School of Medicine, contact Lori Robitaille in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at lrobitai@med.wayne.edu.