Blanche Marie Chavers, MD
August 2, 1949 - June 13, 2026
Blanche Marie Chavers was born on August 2, 1949, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She was the firstborn daughter in her family.
Blanche attended public school, where she was an A student throughout her school years and developed an early passion for reading and science. She also participated in choir, civic clubs, and marching band, where she was a majorette.
Blanche joined Mount Zion AME Zion Church at an early age. She attended church regularly and served in different capacities until she left Clarksdale.
After graduating from Higgins High School, Blanche decided to devote her career to helping people through medicine.
Blanche moved to Seattle to pursue a career as a medical doctor. She spent four years earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, followed by four years of medical school. She then completed her internship and residency program at the University of Washington (UW) and its associated Seattle hospitals. Her interest in researching the root causes of illnesses led her to pursue a career that combined patient care and medical research.
She began working at the University of Minnesota, where she became a pediatric nephrologist and dedicated the rest of her career to treating children with kidney disease and advancing medical research.
Over the years, Blanche became the Clinical Research Medical Director of the University of Minnesota's Department of Pediatrics. She also received numerous honors, including recognition as an "Outstanding Mentor," one of the "Top Doctors" in Minnesota, one of the "Best Doctors in America," and a recipient of the ASPN Founders' Award.
Blanche died on June 13, 2026. Her family, friends, colleagues, patients, and the medical community remember her life and contributions.
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