Remembering Dr. Bennett G. Zier, MD
Samuel Merritt University mourns the loss of Dr. Bennett G. Zier, MD, a distinguished physician, educator, and longtime leader in podiatric medical education, who passed away on December 24, 2025, at the age of 79.
Dr. Zier’s connection to the university began in 1976 when he joined the California College of Podiatric Medicine (CCPM) as Chair of the Department of General Medicine. At the time, CCPM was already a respected institution in podiatric education; under the leadership and dedication of faculty like Dr. Zier, it would grow into a leading academic center for podiatric medicine. CCPM later merged with Samuel Merritt University (SMU) in 2002, bringing Dr. Zier’s decades of influence into the broader SMU community. Dr. Zier remained a faculty member at SMU teaching 4th year medicine rotation and 2nd year physical diagnosis rotation until his passing late last year.
"His loyalty to our profession and to our school has been truly admirable,” Esther Kwon, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at SMU reflects. “He taught us medicine, but more importantly he taught us compassion, humility, and how to care deeply for others.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Zier was widely recognized as a national authority on internal medicine within podiatry. His seminal textbook, Essentials of Internal Medicine in Clinical Podiatry, became an essential resource for podiatric medical education and helped shape how future podiatrists approach the medical management of complex patients.
Beyond his scholarship, Dr. Zier was known for his extraordinary dedication to students. Over the course of his career, he mentored countless podiatric physicians, helping guide generations of students as they developed both clinical skills and professional purpose. And in 1992, the Bennett G. Zier, M.D. Podiatric Medicine Scholarship was established to support 3rd year podiatry students.
“Few people outside of podiatric medicine have done more for our profession than Dr. Bennett Zier,” said Dr. Mark Razzante, Dean of the College of Podiatric Medicine. “I was fortunate to learn from Ben as a student and later to work alongside him as a colleague, and in both roles, I witnessed the same thing — an unwavering commitment to our students and our field that went far beyond what his title required. We are not only mourning the loss of a gifted educator, but a true champion of podiatry whose belief in this profession inspired generations.”
Dr. Zier’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. Deeply committed to service and health equity, he secured funding to establish a primary care clinic serving underserved residents in San Francisco’s Western Addition neighborhood, bringing vital medical care to a community that needed it most.
In clinical practice, Dr. Zier served the San Francisco community for more than 47 years. He practiced at several major medical institutions, including UCSF, St. Francis, Mt. Zion and St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he maintained a primary care practice for two decades and chaired the hospital’s Bioethics Committee. His compassionate care for older adults earned him the Value of Justice Award for his advocacy and dedication to elderly patients.
In 2011, Dr. Zier joined the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, where he served as Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer. Although he retired from clinical care in 2023, his passion for teaching remained strong and he continued educating and mentoring students until 2025.
Colleagues and students remember Dr. Zier not only for his professional achievements, but also for his generosity, warmth, and the deep care he showed for those around him. Whether mentoring a student, advocating for a patient, or helping build programs that strengthened podiatric education, he consistently gave his time and energy to advancing the profession and supporting others.
Dr. Zier is survived by his wife, Cynthia, their two sons, and five grandchildren.
His legacy lives on in the countless students he taught, the physicians he mentored, and the patients and communities he served. Through them and through the continued work of Samuel Merritt University’s College of Podiatric Medicine, his dedication to compassionate care and education will endure for generations to come.
In lieu of flowers, his wife requests donations be made in his honor to the Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine Dean’s Discretionary Fund. Click here to donate.
To read Dr. Zier’s full obituary, please click here.
