Emily E. Czapek, Md

Dr. Emily Czapek, MD

Beloved Fervent Animal Enthusiast, Hematologist, and Groundbreaking Researcher

Emily E. Czapek, M.D., was born on December 1, 1942, and passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024, after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Euterpe and Emil Czapek who, with three doctorate degrees between them, instilled in her their values, particularly the significance of education.

Emily E. Czapek, M.D., dedicated over 40 years of her life to the care of individuals with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. She focused on implementing a true Comprehensive Care Model tailored to the specific needs of her patients. Dr. Czapek earned her Medical Degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, completed her residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston, and undertook her fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

She chaired the National Hemophilia Foundation's Standards Committee, which drafted the second edition of their Comprehensive Care documents. Additionally, she established the first Comprehensive Care clinics at Children's Memorial Hospital and Cook County Hospital in Chicago. In 1988, Dr. Czapek relocated to Peoria, IL, to expand the regional Comprehensive Care Clinic initiated by Dr. Andrew Weiss.

While at the Peoria center, Dr. Czapek tackled two significant challenges arising from scientific advancements in factor concentrates. First, she addressed the health risks associated with HIV and Hepatitis C infections. Second, she confronted the issue of skyrocketing factor pricing, which rendered it unaffordable for families with limited insurance coverage.

In 1999, she took on a part-time role as Associate Medical Director of the Rush Hemophilia Treatment Center in Chicago, where she focused on establishing a 340B drug program and developing a comprehensive care clinic for women. Dr. Czapek retired from medicine on July 1, 2013.

To know Emily meant that you also knew of her zest for her four-legged family, which included her beloved Border Collies. Her enthusiasm for her dogs was unmatched, even going so far as to buy sheep just for her Border Collies' training. She willingly shared her passion with her students and her friends. She consistently took the time to instruct her students in agility, herding, and how to be patient with their dogs. As a dedicated long-time member of the Peoria Obedience Training Club, she eagerly shared her knowledge of agility, herding, and patience with any student. Furthermore, her home reflected her deep bond with her dogs, including her beloved Fleck, who served as her mobility service dog. Emily cherished every opportunity to work with her dogs, especially on the farm. Emily enjoyed coming out to the farm to work the dogs and herd the sheep any chance she could!

Besides being an amazing physician and Border Collie enthusiast, she was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, a spectacular linguist and a gifted musician. She found joy in music, and she enjoyed sharing her talents of the dulcimer and the piano with her close friends.

Emily will be deeply missed by many, including her special friend Pat Langehennig, by her family in Germany the Bieneks (Rosemarie, Claudia, and children), as well as in Australia (Marge and Bruce Gregory and Jillian Williams and her family). In the US, her dear friends Bill Berhow, trainer and friend, Margaret Lass-Gardiner, Helga and Bill Beisken, Sally Davis, will deeply miss her. In Florida, Cheri Abrams will continue to play her dulcimer with pride in honor of her dulcimer instructor and beloved friend.  Everyone who knew her will never look at a Border Collie in the same way again.

Surrounded by friends to the end, Emily leaves behind her family, Fleck, Hope, the incomparable Paco, and her close circle of loved ones. She is reunited with her beloved Robbie, Nan and the rest of the pack, continuing their herding work and joy together. Celebrate Emily's life by living yours well.  In lieu of flowers, please donate your funds to a local organization that supports those who are in dire need of medical health assistance or take time to go to a local sheep herding demonstration or dog agility trials soon to experience what Emily loved and support that event in whatever way you see fit.

Emily's Celebration of Life BBQ will be held at Germantown Grill, 505 Ten Mile Creek Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548 from 12:00 noon until 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 2, 2024.