Notable Alums
Specialty: Infectious Disease
Graduation Year: 1966
Lawrence Crane
Lawrence Crane, M.D. ’66, F.A.C.P., F.I.D.S.A., is a professor of Medicine in the Wayne State University Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and director of Wayne State’s Adult HIV/AIDS Programs and Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic. He became chief of Medicine at Harper University and Hutzel Women’s hospitals in 2007, and continues to innovate, including initiating specialized services for those co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C.
Dr. Crane received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in 1962 and his medical degree from the School of Medicine in 1966. He completed an Internal Medicine residency as a medical service training officer at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and training in infectious disease and research from 1972 to 1974 at Wayne State. He is a recognized fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Disease Society of America, and served as the medical director of the AIDS Partnership Michigan for several years.
In the early 1980s, Dr. Crane changed the lives of thousands living with HIV when he decided to provide medical care to those with Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, later renamed AIDS. His leadership later made the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Adult HIV program Michigan’s largest provider of medical care for those living with HIV. Dr. Crane led the development of clinical care, student and trainee education, and clinical research for men and women with HIV. His coordination with other departments contributed to making the school the leader in Michigan for care and research of children, adolescents and pregnant women with HIV.
He has been a vocal advocate for his patients, championing access to HIV care regardless of insurance status, race or sexual identity. He was instrumental in getting patients the first antiretroviral AIDS drug, zidovudine, or AZT, which was first discovered at the WSU School of Medicine. In the late 1980s, he applied for the federal grant money (later known as the Ryan White Care Act) that still funds the Wayne State Tolan Park Infectious Diseases Clinic.
Dr. Crane has been honored by the Dionne Warwick Foundation for his work, received the AIDS Consortium of Southeastern Michigan for Community Service Award, was name to the Best Doctors in America list, and received the Trailblazer, Distinguished Alumni and College Teaching awards from Wayne State University. He received the Michigan American College of Physicians Laureate Award in 2016.
Dr. Crane received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in 1962 and his medical degree from the School of Medicine in 1966. He completed an Internal Medicine residency as a medical service training officer at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and training in infectious disease and research from 1972 to 1974 at Wayne State. He is a recognized fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Disease Society of America, and served as the medical director of the AIDS Partnership Michigan for several years.
In the early 1980s, Dr. Crane changed the lives of thousands living with HIV when he decided to provide medical care to those with Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, later renamed AIDS. His leadership later made the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Adult HIV program Michigan’s largest provider of medical care for those living with HIV. Dr. Crane led the development of clinical care, student and trainee education, and clinical research for men and women with HIV. His coordination with other departments contributed to making the school the leader in Michigan for care and research of children, adolescents and pregnant women with HIV.
He has been a vocal advocate for his patients, championing access to HIV care regardless of insurance status, race or sexual identity. He was instrumental in getting patients the first antiretroviral AIDS drug, zidovudine, or AZT, which was first discovered at the WSU School of Medicine. In the late 1980s, he applied for the federal grant money (later known as the Ryan White Care Act) that still funds the Wayne State Tolan Park Infectious Diseases Clinic.
Dr. Crane has been honored by the Dionne Warwick Foundation for his work, received the AIDS Consortium of Southeastern Michigan for Community Service Award, was name to the Best Doctors in America list, and received the Trailblazer, Distinguished Alumni and College Teaching awards from Wayne State University. He received the Michigan American College of Physicians Laureate Award in 2016.