Dr. Robert W. Loss, Jr. ’74 Posthumously Inducted into Science and Technology Hall of Fame

St. John Fisher University inducted Dr. Robert W. Loss, Jr. ’74 into the Science and Technology Hall of Fame during a ceremony held on Tuesday, March 19.

Established in 2011 by Fisher’s Science and Technology Alumni Group, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who are noteworthy for their service to their community or the University and for significant contributions to science/technology, science education, or medicine and health-related fields.

Loss earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Fisher in 1974, graduating magna cum laude. He went on to obtain his medical degree from the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester. After three years of training in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital, he received additional training in dermatology and dermatological surgery at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.

He led a distinguished dermatology career as a president of Dermatology Associates with offices in Rochester, Syracuse, and Clifton Springs. Additionally, he was the founder of the Laser Center, Dermaspa and SkinSearch, an investigational research arm of the practices.

In 1989, Loss, along with his wife and business partner, Janice Loss, also a Fisher graduate, established the Robert and Janice Loss Science Scholarship to support deserving students interested in majoring in biology, chemistry, or physics.

In an effort to further promote scholarship at Fisher, the Loss’ also established the Loss Science Lecture Series in 2003. The lecture series, which was endowed by the family in 2020, brings researchers from across the country to campus to discuss the latest research, technology, and discovery.

In addition to the scholarship and the lecture series, Robert Loss was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees, serving for nearly two decades and lending his thoughtful leadership and expertise on a variety of committees including academic affairs, development, and finance. In 2008, he passed away unexpectedly, and his wife, Janice, took over as president and director of operations of Skin Search Rochester, Inc., and DermaSpa. Today, she also serves as a member of Fisher’s Board of Trustees.

“The name ‘Loss’ has become synonymous with excellence in science education at Fisher. The series of investments that the Loss family has made in the institution have provided students with the opportunity to benefit in the classroom and in the Loss Family Research Laboratory, and has exposed them to leaders and experts in the field,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University. “We are proud to celebrate Dr. Loss’ achievements and his work—which have had an immeasurable impact on the field of dermatology as well as on the enhancement of the sciences at Fisher. We are also grateful to Janice, and the entire Loss family, for continuing his legacy of support to the University.”