Beth A. Pletcher, MD, FAAP, FACMG

Dr. Beth A. Pletcher is an Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School whose tenure was spent teaching and practicing at University Hospital in Newark, NJ.  She received her BS in Biology from Stanford University and her MD from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. After completing her residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, she went on to Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT where she completed a fellowship in Human Genetics and Pediatrics.

Dr. Pletcher spent 30 years actively involved as a faculty member for Rutgers NJMS, where she mentored and taught residents on the wards and clinics at University Hospital (formerly known as UMDNJ). She spent numerous hours teaching small groups of medical students in the preclinical years. As a pediatrician and clinical geneticist, she worked in both in and out-patient settings and was recognized for her commitment to the Humanism Center and promotion of patient-centered medicine. Dr. Pletcher taught more than 5,000 future physicians and was sought after as an advisor and professional reference for medical students approaching residency applications and interviews. Dr. Pletcher also served as the Division Director for The Center for Human and Molecular Genetics at University Hospital, delivering genetic services to minority populations throughout New Jersey.

Dr. Pletcher developed educational content for Rutgers NJMS related to the impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental and physical health. For many years, she had the pleasure of serving as a faculty mentor within the Rutgers NJMS Healthcare Foundation Center for Humanism and Medicine. In 2023, She also received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation at Rutgers NJMS.

Today, Dr. Pletcher is still committed to improving the health of children throughout the greater Newark community and serves as an inspiration to thousands of physicians. This fund was established by two former mentees who wanted to honor her by giving back to the Hospital where her legacy began.

“I first met Dr. Beth Pletcher when I was a medical student. I was in awe of her kindness, intelligence, and knowledge. Dr. Pletcher was so kind to parents, pediatric patients, and she was always so smart. She was never disrespectful or harsh to anyone. She was so motivating for me; she was and is, my role model.”

– Catherine Mazzola MD, FAANS, Pediatric Neurological Surgery; Fund Originator