John K. Spitznagel, MD
With great sorrow we announce the passing of John K. Spitznagel, MD on January 14th 2026, at the age of 102, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Spitznagel-- “Spitz” to his colleagues—was Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology from 1979 to 1992, and School of Medicine Associate Dean of Research from 1995 to 1998. As Department Chair during SOM’s period of significant expansion, he led the recruitment of outstanding faculty, more than doubling the number of faculty. Dr. Spitznagel emphasized the academic and research development of the faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows of the department while continuing his own active NIH funded research program in antimicrobial host defense.
While his influence on his colleagues and in the academic community is clear, his greatest joy was his family. He and his late wife, Anne,raised five children, all of whom are accomplished in a variety of fields and who have added fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren to John and Anne’s legacy.
Born April 11, 1923 in Illinois and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dr. Spitznagel received his Baccalaureate from Columbia University in1943 and MD degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1946. He interned in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University followed by a residency at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. In 1951, he joined the renowned microbiologist Professor Renee Dubos at The Rockefeller University where he studied tuberculosis. Dr. Spitznagel was a medical officer in the US Army, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel, with clinical duties in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
In 1957, after his military service, John joined the University of North Carolina Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine with a joint appointment in the Department of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, serving as an attending and consulting physician. During his 22-year tenure at UNC, John became internationally known for his research program on the mechanisms used by white blood cells (leukocytes) to kill ingested bacteria by oxygen-independent systems notably by cationic antimicrobial peptides and proteins. Importantly, his early work helped to establish the now burgeoning field of innate immunity. In addition, his group identified bacterial genes that encoded systems that promoted bacterial survival within host cells.
John was recruited to the position of Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology at Emory University in 1979 and renamed it the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, expanding its scientific scope and reach by recruiting faculty in the range of fields encompassed by the new designation. He continued his own long-standing NIH research program throughout his tenure as Chair of the Department.
In retirement in the North Georgia mountain community of Jasper, Dr. Spitznagel recognized the lack of affordable healthcare for the economically disadvantaged in this area and joined with other retired medical professionals in the community and members of their church, Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, to create the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center. This volunteer-run clinic has been instrumental in improving the quality of life for the area’s uninsured, treating thousands of people for ailments that would otherwise go untreated and lead to advanced disease. As a man of faith, John did not seek financial reward or personal accolades for this important work, but dedicated himself to helping make life better for as many people as possible.
A celebration of life is planned for a date in May which will be announced later, and will be held at John and Anne’s church in Jasper.
The family suggests that any contributions in John’s memory be directed to Good Samaritan Health and Wellness; 175 Samaritan Dr.; Jasper, GA 30143.
While those of us associated with John Spitznagel are saddened by his passing, we rejoice in the knowledge that he embodied the best of the human spirit, showing all of us what is possible and encouraging us to make the best of our lives with accomplishments that will better serve others.
He will remain an inspirational figure to all of us who knew him.