Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Craig Lehmann

The Stony Brook Medicine community was saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Lehmann, PhD, CC (NRCC), FACB, a distinguished clinical chemist and innovator, on January 26. 

During his remarkable career spanning more than 50 years, Lehmann dedicated himself to advancing education, health technology and community healthcare initiatives. His leadership as the former dean of the School of Health Technology and Management from 1999 to 2018 (now the School of Health Professions) and as interim executive dean of Health Sciences at Stony Brook from 2006 to 2010 left an indelible mark on the institution and on the lives of countless students, colleagues and the community.

Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine William Wertheim, MD, MBA, shared, “Craig Lehmann was a true visionary in healthcare education and innovation. His leadership and pioneering work in e-health technology and patient care solutions have shaped the way we train future healthcare professionals. His legacy will endure through the countless students and colleagues he mentored and through the programs he helped build that continue to serve our communities.”

Lehmann was a trailblazer in e-health technology, focusing on telemedicine to address socio-economic and healthcare challenges in both developed and developing countries. His passion for innovation was exemplified by his invention of the RxMonitor+, a medication management device designed to help individuals and caregivers manage complex medication regimens, potentially reducing the $100 to 300 billion spent annually in the U.S. due to medication non-adherence.

Throughout his career, Lehmann not only led undergraduate and graduate programs in the health sciences but also served as a respected lecturer at national and international conferences. One such presentation at Capitol Hill included discussions with President Bush’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, focusing on the benefits of e-technology to address major disease states such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and congestive heart failure.

Lehmann’s scholarly contributions were vast — authoring numerous journal articles, editing clinical laboratory science textbooks and serving on the editorial boards of publications, including the American Association for Clinical Chemistry’s Strategies and Solutions and Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

His expertise and dedication earned him many accolades, including the “Outstanding Contributions in Education Award from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry,” the “Stony Brook University Provost’s Award for Exceptional Service to Undergraduate Education,” the “President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching” and the “State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.” He was a Fellow in the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, and in recognition of his innovative spirit, he was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2021, the highest professional distinction for academic inventors.

In reflecting on Lehmann’s influence, Stacy Jaffee Gropack, PT, PhD, FASAHP, dean of the School of Health Professions, said, “Dr. Craig Lehmann has left a lasting impact on the School of Health Professions with outstanding contributions, including community healthcare initiatives and research, expansion of degree programs on Stony Brook’s East and Southampton campuses, advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion and social mobility for underrepresented students, and medical mission trips.”

Lehmann is survived by his wife, Susan M. Lehmann, his sons, Aaron and Jason, along with Jason’s wife, Kathleen. His legacy of innovation, mentorship and service to the community will guide future generations in health sciences and beyond.