Remembering Dr. Frederick R. Singer
FD/MAS Alliance is sad to share the news of the recent passing of Dr. Frederick R Singer, a longtime FD/MAS Alliance supporter and champion. Dr. Singer was an instrumental leader in this organization’s founding and generously served on our board of directors.
Beyond his board leadership, he also fielded many requests for information, presented research to patients, and was instrumental in securing a site for the 2006 Patient-Family Meetings in Santa Monica, CA. In 2008, he was honored with the Constellation award for his service to the FD/MAS community.
In addition to his pivotal role with the FD/MAS Alliance (formerly the Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation), Dr. Singer was a distinguished clinician and investigator whose work significantly advanced the field of bone health and deepened the understanding of rare metabolic bone disease.
His medical career began at UCLA and the University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine, where his career-long fascination with bone diseases took root. He pursued advanced training in endocrinology through prestigious fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School) and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London. Dr. Singer subsequently held teaching positions at Harvard Medical School and served on the faculty at both USC and UCLA.
Dr. Singer previously directed the Bone Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Later, as Director of the Endocrine/Bone Disease Program at the John Wayne Cancer Institute, he both provided expert care for oncology patients facing skeletal complications and conducted pioneering studies on abnormal bone metabolism. He also held the title of Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Dr. Singer was also a contributing leader on many advisory boards, patient groups, and professional societies, including as past President of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). His service and stewardship will live on in the many communities where he leant his time and talent.
This quote comes from his leadership and guidance as a reviewer for Team FD/MAS research grants:
“There is not a shortage of great ideas or qualified scientists, only a shortage of grants to fund them.”
Dr. Singer was generous with his time, patient with his guidance, and instrumental in setting the collaborative and solution-focused tone of this organization. With condolences and gratitude, we hope to carry that legacy on in our work.
Dr. Singer (far right) along with other expert speakers from the 2006 Patient and Family Meeting that Dr. Singer helped to organize.