05/08/2025

Patricia L. Monteleone, M.D., dean emerita of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, died Sunday, May 4, 2025. She was 89. 

A true trailblazer, Monteleone was the first female dean of Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Monteleone spent decades at SLU, first as a student and then as an educator and leader. 

“Dean Monteleone was beloved by former colleagues, students and faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine,” said Christine Jacobs, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of SLU’s School of Medicine. “She was a strong supporter of our mission and was a cherished presence at holiday gatherings, pre-commencement, and other important celebrations in the School of Medicine.”

Born in East St. Louis, Ill., Monteleone joined SLU in 1953 as she pursued her undergraduate degree. At SLU, she majored in chemistry and minored in biology and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1956. From there, she enrolled in the SLU School of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree in 1961.

Monteleone did her pediatric internship and residency at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital. 

She did her post-grad work at SLU from 1964 to 1967 and also spent time at the University of Chicago. She began her teaching career in Chicago while working at the Northwestern School of Medicine. 

In 1967, she was appointed assistant professor of pediatrics at SLU, beginning her long professional career with the University. 

As a pediatrician with a specialty in medical genetics, she spent time as a clinician, teacher, and researcher for 25 years, then later as a medical administrator. In 1986, she was appointed Vice President for Medical Affairs at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

During that time, she also enrolled in night classes at SLU to earn her MBA and MHA in 1993. 

Monteleone was the interim chair of SLU’s Department of Pediatrics from 1990 to 1993, before she was appointed associate dean for Graduate Medical Education and Veteran Affairs.

In 1994, she was appointed as the 11th dean of Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She served as dean for 14 years, retiring in 2008. She was the longest continuously serving woman dean in the history of U.S. medical schools at the time of her retirement. 

While dean, she oversaw a restructuring of the school’s medical curriculum, a three-fold increase in extramural research funding, the creation of SLUCare, and the construction of the $82 million, state-of-the-art Doisy Research Center.

When Monteleone received the School of Medicine Pioneer Award in 2011, she was noted as a trailblazer and role model for professional women.

Monteleone was a grant and contract recipient of numerous state and national research projects in medical genetics. She authored more than 40 publications on the topic. She also served on numerous hospital and school of medicine committees. She was a member of the Society of Pediatric Research and the American Society of Human Genetics. She was a board-certified member of the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Pediatrics. 

Monteleone was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Monteleone, M.D., a professor emeritus of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. SLU established the Drs. James & Patricia Monteleone Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology after the Monteleones. The position is currently held by Jeffrey Teckman, M.D.

Monteleone is survived by her son J. Patrick (Lisa) Monteleone and grandchildren.

Visitation for Monteleone will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at St. Anselm Parish. A funeral Mass will immediately follow the visitation. Interment will be private.