Marcus Conant
Encyclopedia
Marcus Augustine Conant is a leading American
dermatologist and one of the first physicians to diagnose and treat Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS
) in 1981. He helped create one of the largest private AIDS clinics, was a founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and his work contributed to development of some of today’s top HIV medications. He has written over 70 publications on the treatment of AIDS.
Conant graduated from Duke University
in 1957 with a B.S. in Zoology. In 1961, Conant graduated from Duke University College of Medicine and interned at Duke University Medical Center. Conant served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon
, on active duty from 1962 to 1964, and continuing as a reservist until 1967.
In 1964, Conant joined the University of California San Francisco Medical Center as a dermatology
resident. In 1967, he received his first academic appointment, as an instructor in clinical dermatology. Over the years, Conant rose up the academic ladder, and in 1984, he was appointed clinical professor of dermatology.
While he was an associate professor at UCSF, Conant first identified Kaposi's Sarcoma
and AIDS in patients.
He was the lead plaintiff in judicial decision protecting the First Amendment
right of physicians to recommend the use of medical marijuana to people living with HIV
& AIDS.
In 2010, Conant closed his practice and moved to New York, citing rising costs and difficulties in dealing with health insurance companies. He stated,"I'm sorry to have to leave my patients, and a lot of them are sorry I had to leave, but it's time. This is only symptomatic of a much bigger problem we have in this country with health care." He continues to consult with researchers on a reported association of a virus with chronic fatigue syndrome
and autism
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dermatologist and one of the first physicians to diagnose and treat Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
) in 1981. He helped create one of the largest private AIDS clinics, was a founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and his work contributed to development of some of today’s top HIV medications. He has written over 70 publications on the treatment of AIDS.
Conant graduated from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in 1957 with a B.S. in Zoology. In 1961, Conant graduated from Duke University College of Medicine and interned at Duke University Medical Center. Conant served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon
Flight surgeon
A flight surgeon is a military medical officer assigned to duties in the clinical field variously known as aviation medicine, aerospace medicine, or flight medicine...
, on active duty from 1962 to 1964, and continuing as a reservist until 1967.
In 1964, Conant joined the University of California San Francisco Medical Center as a dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
resident. In 1967, he received his first academic appointment, as an instructor in clinical dermatology. Over the years, Conant rose up the academic ladder, and in 1984, he was appointed clinical professor of dermatology.
While he was an associate professor at UCSF, Conant first identified Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kaposi's sarcoma
Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumor caused by Human herpesvirus 8 , also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus . It was originally described by Moritz Kaposi , a Hungarian dermatologist practicing at the University of Vienna in 1872. It became more widely known as one of the AIDS defining...
and AIDS in patients.
He was the lead plaintiff in judicial decision protecting the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
right of physicians to recommend the use of medical marijuana to people living with HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
& AIDS.
In 2010, Conant closed his practice and moved to New York, citing rising costs and difficulties in dealing with health insurance companies. He stated,"I'm sorry to have to leave my patients, and a lot of them are sorry I had to leave, but it's time. This is only symptomatic of a much bigger problem we have in this country with health care." He continues to consult with researchers on a reported association of a virus with chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
and autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
.