Suzanne M. Shepherd, an emeritus clinician-educator in the Perelman School of Medicine, passed away on June 28 after being struck by a police vehicle. She was 69.

Dr. Shepherd earned a BA in biological sciences from Boucher College in 1974. She then received an MS with distinction in biophysics and physiology from Georgetown two years later, and an MD, also from Georgetown, in 1980. She completed an internship and residency at Georgetown University, then joined Penn’s faculty in 1995 as an associate professor of emergency medicine. She was widely involved at Penn, serving on the University Council Committee on Personnel Benefits and as an education officer in her department, as well as the medical director of Penn Travel Medicine. She also taught courses at the Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Shepherd published her research widely, writing peer-reviewed articles spanning emergency medicine-related topics like vaccination, human attacks by felid carnivores, and malaria. She was promoted to a full professor of emergency medicine, the first woman to do so. In 2019, she retired from Penn and took emeritus status.

“Suzanne was a teacher, mentor and friend to many of us in the emergency department and beyond,” the department said in a statement. “She was such an interesting person,” said Dr. Shepherd’s friend David Rucki. “Such a life well-lived. She was just such an interesting woman. Such a wonderful, interesting, vibrant.”

Funeral information is forthcoming.