Temple University Board of Trustees member Sandra “Sandy” Harmon-Weiss, CLA ’71, MED ’74, passed away on Jan. 3. She was 81. 

Harmon-Weiss was very much Temple Made, as she was a double graduate of the university, and had long and deep ties to the institution. As a young woman, Harmon-Weiss worked as a laboratory technician at Temple’s Skin and Cancer Hospital to support herself while attending night classes, so she could finish her bachelor’s degree in the College of Liberal Arts. Once that was completed, she went on to graduate from Temple’s medical school, now the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), which marked the start of a remarkable career in healthcare. 

In Oct. 2016, Harmon-Weiss was named to Temple’s Board of Trustees, a role that continued until her passing. She served as a member of multiple committees throughout her tenure on the board, and her commitment to Temple Health (TUHS) was just as strong, as she also served as the chair of the board of Temple University Hospital and vice chair of TUHS.  

She had previously chaired the Board of Visitors for LKSOM and served on the Board of Visitors for both the Kornberg School of Dentistry and Tyler School of Art and Architecture.  

“Sandy was a remarkable person and a great friend to Temple. Throughout the years, she was involved with so many different facets of both the university and health system, and we will always be grateful for her service. Her breadth of knowledge and perspective on health care matters made her an invaluable voice in every role that she held, and Temple is stronger because of all that she gave to this institution,” said Temple University President John Fry. “I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know Sandy since becoming Temple’s president. She was an accomplished physician and executive but also such a warm, kind person, which was one of the first things I noticed upon meeting her. She will be deeply missed.” 

“Sandy’s expertise in healthcare and dedication to our mission made her a vital part of our board. Her passion for the institution’s success was clear in every role she undertook, and she worked tirelessly to support its growth,” said Michael Young, chief executive officer of Temple University Health System. “I will miss her greatly—she was an extraordinary person and a brilliant colleague." 

Harmon-Weiss was a master when it came to successfully managing multiple positions and responsibilities, and she gave it her all in every role she held. 

After graduating from medical school, she established a private family practice in Conshohocken, Pa., in 1977. At that same time, she also served as assistant director of the Family Practice Center at Abington Memorial Hospital from 1977 to 1984. While she was practicing medicine, she also was serving the Temple community, working as a clinical assistant professor at Temple’s School of Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health from 1978 to 1984. 

She would eventually leave private practice altogether to become a medical director for U.S. Healthcare Inc. (now Aetna), where she would ultimately be promoted to vice president, director and head of core government programs.  

All the while, she continued to serve the healthcare industry in other capacities, testifying at Congressional hearings and serving as an advisor, member and reviewer for various initiatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, American Geriatrics Society and other government agencies, think tanks, committees and nonprofits. 

Her late husband, Richard C. Weiss, was also deeply committed to Temple University, as he served several years as an associate professor and associate dean at the Kornberg School of Dentistry. Together, the two had a deep affinity for art as collectors and patrons, and they combined their passions for both Temple and the arts in serving as members of Tyler’s Board of Visitors. 

Harmon-Weiss' continued commitment to Temple was recognized several times throughout her career. She was inducted into Temple’s Gallery of Success in 2004–2005 and was awarded the Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Alumni Service Award in 2009. In 2015, she was awarded the Henry P. Laughlin Alumnus of the Year Award in Recognition of Exceptional Contributions to Medicine. 

Harmon-Weiss was also dedicated to giving back to ensure that a Temple education remains accessible, especially for students who wanted to pursue a career in medicine. She established the Emma C. Weiss Memorial Scholarship, an endowed scholarship that is given to medical students planning careers in primary care. Gifts to that endowed scholarship fund can be made here.