David T Wyatt, MD, esteemed and beloved former section chief of Pediatric Endocrinology and Professor of Pediatrics, passed away on Saturday December 6, 2025, at the age of 76. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, his analytical and data driven approach to science and medicine, and his deep care for others and the environment.
After obtaining his BA at Yale University, he attended medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas. He was a Pediatric Resident and Chief Resident at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. His fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology was at Washington University in St Louis. He then moved to Medical College of Wisconsin in 1984, where he spent his entire career until retiring in 2017. He was Section Chief from 1990-2008.
During his faculty career he obtained over $2 million in research grants and published widely in many areas of endocrinology and diabetes. His was one of the first and most detailed descriptions of metabolic factors associated with poor outcomes in treatment of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis. He participated in numerous studies of growth hormone treatment in childhood, its benefits, risks, and outcomes. He served in many leadership roles for clinical and research committees locally, regionally and nationally. He encouraged junior faculty and fellows to pursue an analytical approach to clinical problems, and to publish their findings. After stepping down as section chief in 2008, he developed a curriculum for teaching the fundamentals of critical literature review, especially clinical trials, in collaboration with MCW librarians. He taught these principles to our pediatric endocrinology section and eventually shared his curriculum with other Pediatric sections for the benefit of the faculty and fellows.
On a personal note, David was always available to discuss clinical problems, data, and the business of academic medicine. He loved technology and always had the most up to date computers and phones. He was a talented photographer and avid internet explorer. He was both frugal and remarkably generous. His final act of caring and generosity was the gift of his liver to bring new life to a stranger in need, a gift that all of us in health care should aspire to give. He is and will be sorely missed.
His family identified the following as charities that can be chosen for memorial gifts:
The Milwaukee Jewish Free Loan Association Devin Wyatt Memorial Green and Gold Fund
The Hunger Task Force
The Charles E Kubly Foundation
Any charity close to your heart
Become an organ donor
Patricia A Donohoue, MD
Professor Emerita, Pediatric Endocrinology
Medical College of Wisconsin