It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) announces the passing of W. Frederick Schwenk II, MD, CM, FASPEN, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Schwenk, who died on September 22, is remembered for his many contributions to the advancement of clinical nutrition and patient care and his service as ASPEN president and president of the ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation.
“Throughout his career, Dr. Schwenk was a moving force, focusing attention on the need to provide effective nutrition support for all his patients—from neonates to adolescents,” reflected fellow pediatrician and current ASPEN President Ajay Jain, MD, DNB, MHA. “His dedication to his patients and the science of clinical nutrition was an inspiration to thousands of clinicians and researchers here and abroad.”
Dr. Schwenk—affectionately known as “Fritz”—joined ASPEN in 1991 and soon took on a leadership role, serving on the Clinical Congress Planning Committee and chairing the Education and Professional Development Committee. He was elected to the ASPEN Board of Directors in 1996 and took the reins as president in 2002.
“Dr. Schwenk was the first pediatrician to serve as ASPEN president and bring a non-surgical perspective to the table,” said his Mayo Clinic and ASPEN colleague Molly McMahon, MD, FASPEN. “He also advocated for healthcare organizations to find better ways to partner with the nutrition industry in improving patient care, particularly the standardization and regulation of infant formulas.”
During his term as president, Dr. Schwenk helped strengthen relationships with clinical nutrition societies in Europe and Latin America—ESPEN and FELANPE—saying, “We truly have begun to recognize that our mission extends beyond the North American border.”
His dedication and hard work continued well after his term as ASPEN president. He served as associate editor of ASPEN’s Clinical Practice Manual from 2004 to 2006. The following year, he took on an active role in the ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation, first chairing the Development Committee and then the Board of Directors. The Foundation’s immediate past president, Dr. McMahon, shared, “The importance of this work was very clear to him. His insights, direction, leadership, and support were invaluable.”
In 2012, Dr. Schwenk was named a fellow of ASPEN (FASPEN). This designation is the highest honor available to members and recognizes outstanding leaders in nutrition support who consistently contribute to education, practice, research, and service to the field.
Dr. Schwenk grew up along the route to Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, South Dakota. It was science that inspired him to leave his home state and pursue a degree at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. His undergraduate work, which included six months of study at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität in Erlangen, Germany, received numerous awards. In 1969, he graduated cum lade with honors with a BA in chemistry.
He continued his studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, receiving his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees. While at McGill, he won the Kinsmen Award for Best Canadian Student Research in Cystic Fibrosis.
Dr. Schwenk completed his residency in pediatrics and a pediatric research fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.
In 1986, he received the Young Investigator Award from the American Diabetes Association and became an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Later, he was promoted to professor and chaired the Mayo Clinic’s Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism for nine years. His research focused on substrate and hormonal control of liver glycogen metabolism and whole-body measurement of protein and glucose turnover in normal individuals and in patients with type 1 diabetes.
He published 69 peer-reviewed articles, over 100 abstracts, and 20 book chapters. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Schwenk gave hundreds of presentations around the world.
Dr. Schwenk’s focus was always on his young patients at the Mayo Eugenio Litta Children’s Hospital. He dedicated his ASPEN presidential address to “the children to whom I have had the privilege of providing care …” and laced his presentation with their drawings. He spoke of his discouragement that the field’s best efforts were not always successful and in seeing how home parenteral nutrition in small children takes its toll on caretakers. “We have to achieve a better outcome!” he would say.
Dr. Schwenk is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nina, a retired assistant professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, two children, Avery and Kelsey, and three young grandchildren.
The family has asked that contributions be directed to the Child Life Program at Mayo Clinic’s Children’s Center in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made online or by contacting [email protected].
A memorial will be held later this year. In the meantime, condolences and memories can be shared at https://tinyurl.com/drfritzschwenk.