Dr. Elise Sampson, former associate professor at Marquette University School of Dentistry, died at her home in Milwaukee on Monday, May 12, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 87.
Elise was a member of the dental school’s faculty for more than 35 years. In that time, she held numerous roles at the school, including division head, department chair and Transmissible Disease Clinic Director.
In the 1980s, in response to the AIDS crisis, she became a leader in infectious disease prevention and occupational safety practices for the dental profession, and advocated that any patient could be safely treated if dental practice safety measures were followed closely and consistently. She consulted and spoke at conferences on safe treatment practices for patients with HIV, hepatitis, herpes and other communicable diseases.
In addition, Elise served on advisory committees for the American Dental Association and the Milwaukee Coalition on AIDS Policy, as chairman of the Wisconsin section of the American College of Dentists, and published research in regional and national professional journals. She retired from Marquette in 2010.
A full obituary is available online. A memorial open house to honor Elise’s life will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Feerick Funeral Home, 2025 E. Capitol Dr., Shorewood.
Please remember Elise, her family and friends in prayer.
