In Memoriam: Alton Steiner, MD
Alton L. Steiner, MD, founding director of the Division of Endocrinology at McGovern Medical School, died at his home in Houston, May 6, 2023. He was 86.
Born in Albany, NY, he attended The Albany Academy, Harvard College, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Washington University of St. Louis. He practiced medicine at Albany Medical Center, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and St. Joseph Hospital, Houston.
He joined the Medical School faculty in the late 1970s and built a potent research-focused Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, with numerous National Institutes of Health grants. When LBJ General Hospital opened, he shifted his focus to clinical medicine and was an important educator there, said Philip Orlander, MD, professor of endocrinology and holder of the Edward Randall Chair in Internal Medicine. He retired from the Medical School in 1997.
In 1968, Dr. Steiner was the author of the initial description of a rare familial endocrine syndrome, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2, after a large family study. Subsequently, he elucidated the intracellular action of cyclic AMP, an important second messenger in cell biology.
He is survived by his wife, Emily, his children, Laurie Halperin (Nuri), Daniel Steiner (Tina), Richard Steiner (Natalie) and six grandchildren.
No service is planned in Houston.