In memoriam: Charles Ericsson, MD
Charles Ericsson, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, died May 17. He was 81 years old.
Ericsson held the Dr. and Mrs. Carl V. Vartian Professorship in Infectious Diseases and was a tenured professor of medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Throughout his career he served in numerous roles, including head of Clinical Infectious Disease in the Department of Internal Medicine, director of the Travel Medicine Clinic, member of the Faculty and Promotions and Tenure Committee, and longtime director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program.
Ericsson was named professor emeritus at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in 2026.
“Dr. Ericsson was a true gentleman, a leader, an erudite scholar in travel medicine, and one of the most astute clinicians I’ve ever seen. He could walk into a room, look at a patient, ask the right questions, and make a diagnosis of an obscure and complex infection in minutes,” said Luis Ostrosky, MD, professor and director of infectious diseases. “He was extremely generous with his time and knowledge, and he taught infectious disease to countless generations of clinicians in Houston and worldwide. He was a sounding board and a dear mentor to so many of us, and he will be missed.”
Ericsson was the quintessential infectious disease clinician, according to Ostrosky. He said he was thoughtful, deeply knowledgeable, and known for asking the insightful and often obscure questions that led to better patient care. Teaching and mentorship were among his greatest passions, and he influenced generations of medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings through his wisdom, generosity, and unwavering dedication to education.
“Charlie Ericsson has served as the backbone of infectious diseases at McGovern Medical School from near the beginning of the school and has established an independent and internationally recognized reputation as one of the leaders in the discipline of travel medicine,” said Herbert DuPont, MD, professor of epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. “We have lost an academic colleague, an international scholar, and a wonderful friend.”
In addition to his teaching and clinical work, Ericsson was a familiar and respected presence throughout the Harris Health System, where he chaired multiple committees focused on hospital infection control and antibiotic stewardship. He also helped lead the system through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognized for his expertise in travel medicine, Ericsson was one of the world’s leading authorities on traveler’s diarrhea. He served as president and fellow of the International Society of Travel Medicine and was the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Travel Medicine.
Ericsson received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1970. Following internal medicine residency training at the University of Minnesota’s hospitals, he became the first infectious disease-trained fellow at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston—then known as The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—where he subsequently served on the faculty for 50 years, remaining a devoted member of the institution until his passing.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.