Dr. Sidney Olansky

Sid Olansky was a physician from the old school. Medicine was an avocation rather than just an occupation. He was a first generation American, his parents having emigrated from the Ukraine. He was born in Boston in 1914 and grew up there playing baseball until the family moved to New York, so he could attend NYU. He attended medical school in Scotland, finishing and returning to the U.S. as WWII was beginning in Europe. After an internship, he entered the U.S. Public Health Service where he began his career in clinical research. He attended Duke University for his residency in Dermatology and eventually became an associate professor there. In 1959, Sidney came to Atlanta as the first Professor of Dermatology at Emory University. He taught many students in all branches of medicine and trained many practicing dermatologists. In his career, he authorized or co-authorized more than 140 papers concerning dermatology. In 1981, he was named Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at Emory University and joined two sons in a private practice in dermatology, which he continued in until his 92nd birthday. He continued to teach during much of this second career. While much of his career was spent teaching, he also loved his patients and they returned that affection. He was willing to take on the tough cases and helped generations of Atlantans. Sidney is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marian Olansky; daughter Leann Olansky; son, Alan Olansky and his wife Dianne; son, David Olansky and his wife Brenda; and son, Ad Olansky; grandchildren Charles Cope, Anna Olansky and Adam Olansky. A private graveside service will be held at later date. The family will receive friends 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Sunday at A. S. Turner & Sons. (404) 292-1551