Michael D. Iseman, MD
March 3, 1939 – November 20, 2022
Michael D. Iseman, MD, was a highly respected pulmonologist and Professor of Medicine at National Jewish Health from 1982 until his retirement in 2014, when he became a Professor Emeritus. Dr. Iseman served as Chief of the Division of Mycobacterial and Respiratory Infections at National Jewish Health from 1982 to 2004. Under his leadership, the division evolved to one of the premier clinical programs in the world for treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.
Throughout his career, Dr. Iseman was the epitome of a gentleman physician and scholar who dedicated his career to caring for patients with mycobacterial diseases and studying these diseases. A giant in the field, his contributions helped to shape our understanding and the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and related infectious diseases. In 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published his paper on how to treat multidrug-resistant TB, which became the roadmap for the world to follow. He also authored of one of the most widely read texts on the topic, A Clinician’s Guide to Tuberculosis, and published more than 175 research manuscripts, book chapters, reviews and editorials. Dr. Iseman served as an associate editor for the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and editor-in-chief of both Tubercle and Lung Disease and the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
As a teacher, Dr. Iseman was unequalled. He led the Denver TB Course, sharing his knowledge with thousands of health care practitioners for more than 30 years. He lectured in 47 states and 38 foreign countries and served as a consultant to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
Dr. Iseman was elected to the Colorado Pulmonary Hall of Fame in 1997, and he received numerous awards during his career for his dedicated service, including the 2010 National Jewish Health Lifetime Achievement Award and the Edward Livingston Trudeau Medal from the American Thoracic Society, among many others.
Dr. Iseman earned an A.B. with honors from Princeton University in 1961 and an M.D. from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1965. He served as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1969, before returning to New York City to complete his medical residency and fellowship in pulmonary medicine.
In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of Colorado School of Medicine and served 10 years on staff at Denver General Hospital, including as the Director of the Metropolitan TB Clinic, before joining the faculty of National Jewish Health.
We honor Dr. Iseman’s legacy and distinguished career of service at National Jewish Health.
