Mabel L. Purkerson
Mabel L. Purkerson, (MED’99) was awarded The Sweeney Medal for dedication and service to The Explorers Club (TEC). She served as St. Louis Chapter Chair (2005-2011) and she has contributed to building the St. Louis Chapter. At the national level of TEC, her committees are: Membership, Legacy Society, Library & Archives and Management. She served as a member of the Board of Directors 2010-2017. She strongly supports efforts to preserve and update the Headquarters Building in New York.
Dr. Purkerson is a retired physician-educator, she is Professor Emerita of Medicine at Washington University. Scientific research interests included pioneering studies in renal physiology, notably pathophysiology of the kidney. She has a lifelong interest in nature, wildlife conservation and preservation. A wide experience in world travel has enabled her to learn about other civilizations and observe people living in the places visited – particularly those with environmental needs. She has deep concern that our Planet’s untamed beauty should be preserved for future generations. Among her contributions to conservation: Lower Zambezi Partnership Park for which she secured funding enabling local tribes to build a fish farm to help natives become self-supporting and appreciators of their natural resources; in St. Louis she obtained funding for the Trailnet/Confluence Cell-Phone Tour of Area Historic Sites. She is a Royal Geographical Society Fellow, American Alpine Club Member, member of numerous professional societies; serves on boards of trustees of St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Historical Society, Missouri Botanical Garden, Opera Theatre St. Louis and St. Louis Academy of Science.
