Index

In Memoriam: Kenneth Fred Swaiman, MD
(November 19, 1931 – September 18, 2020)

Kenneth “Ken” Swaiman was a visionary physician-scientist whose life’s work laid the modern foundations of child neurology. From establishing three cornerstone professional organizations to editing the discipline’s defining textbook and founding the journal Pediatric Neurology, Dr Swaiman’s influence resonates in every clinic, classroom, and laboratory devoted to the neurological care of children worldwide.

Early Life & Education

Born in St Paul and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dr Swaiman was the son of Lithuanian immigrants who instilled in him a love of learning and service. He earned three degrees from the University of Minnesota—BA (1952, magna cum laude), BS (1953), and MD (1955)—followed by internship at Minneapolis General Hospital and pediatric residency (ultimately serving as chief resident) at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. After two years as Chief of Pediatrics at Fort McPherson (U.S. Army), he returned to Minnesota for NIH-funded fellowship training in pediatric neurology under A.B. Baker.

Certification & Academic Appointments

Dr Swaiman was board-certified in Pediatrics (1960), Neurology and Psychiatry (1966), and in Child Neurology (1969). Joining the faculties of Pediatrics and Neurology at Minnesota in 1963, he became full professor in both departments within a decade. As Director of the Division and of the Child Neurology Residency Program (1972–1998) he trained more than 80 child neurologists, many of whom now lead programs across the globe.

Pioneering Organizations

  • Child Neurology Society (CNS) – Founder & first President (1972-73)
  • Professors of Child Neurology (PCN) – Founder & first President (1978-80)
  • Child Neurology Foundation (CNF) – Founder & first President (2000-03)

These organizations unified academic programs, advanced training standards, fostered research collaboration, and created enduring support networks for families of children with neurological disorders.

Scholarship & Publishing Legacy

Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice—first edited by Dr Swaiman and Frank Wright in 1975—has grown from 40 chapters to 170 in its seventh edition (2017), spanning more than 3,500 online pages. He remained senior editor through every revision, inviting a new generation of co-editors to chronicle the expanding field.

Recognizing the need for a dedicated scholarly forum, he launched the journal Pediatric Neurology in 1985 and served as Editor-in-Chief until 2012, overseeing its ascent to a high-impact international publication.

Research & Clinical Interests

An inquisitive scientist, Dr Swaiman investigated GABA and phenylalanine metabolism, neuromuscular metabolic disorders, the neuropathology of malnutrition, and rare conditions such as acid maltase deficiency and sea-blue histiocytosis. His work on how iron and other metals influence cerebral energetics presaged current research into neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation.

Awards & Honors

  • Hower Award, Child Neurology Society (1981)
  • Founder’s Award, CNS 25th Anniversary (1996)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award for Neurologic Education, American Academy of Neurology (2005)
  • Legacy Reception honoree, CNS (2017)

In addition, Dr Swaiman served on 15 editorial boards, multiple NIH study sections, and exam committees for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, sharing his expertise in more than 50 visiting professorships across six continents.

Personal Life

For 35 years Dr Swaiman shared his life with fellow pediatric neurologist Phyllis Sher, MD. Together they divided their time between Minneapolis and Tucson, nurturing both medical careers and Phyllis’s artistic pursuits. Their blended family includes four children (Lisa, Jerrold, Barbara, Dana), eight grandchildren, and great-grandson Everett, each a testament to Ken’s devotion as husband, father, and grandfather.

Enduring Legacy

More than any modern physician, Kenneth F. Swaiman defined child neurology as a distinct academic and clinical discipline. His relentless commitment to patient care, education, and research has directly improved the lives of tens of thousands of children. Equally memorable were his warmth, radiant smile, and infectious laugh—qualities that inspired generations of trainees and colleagues to aspire beyond the ordinary.

“Dr Swaiman showed us that excellence in medicine is not an aspiration — it is a responsibility.”

The Child Neurology community mourns the loss of this towering figure yet celebrates the indelible mark he left on our profession and the countless young lives his work helped to heal.