Obituaries
A legend and forefather of microsurgery: Berish Strauch, MD, 1933-2023
By Paul Snyder Monday, January 15, 2024The specialty lost a microsurgery pioneer on Dec. 24, when Berish Strauch, MD, passed away at age 90.
A founding father of craniofacial surgery: S. Anthony Wolfe, MD, 1940-2023
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, January 2, 2024Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to plastic surgery legend S. Anthony Wolfe, MD, who passed away Dec. 26 at age 83. Dr. Wolfe was a disciple of Paul Tessier, MD, and a founding member of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ISCFS).
Remembering John McCraw, MD, 1940-2023
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, October 10, 2023John McCraw, MD, a giant of plastic surgery, passed away on Oct. 3 after a long illness. He was 83. He was internationally recognized for his innovation of the "island myocutaneous flap."
Remembering Randy Sherman, MD, 1951-2023
By Jim Leonardo Thursday, July 20, 2023Plastic surgeons are mourning the loss of past PSF Treasurer, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) past president and Maliniac Fellow Randy Sherman, MD, who passed away Tuesday at age 72.
Remembering ASPS past President H. William Porterfield, MD, 1929-2023
By PSN Staff Monday, June 26, 2023ASPS past President H. William "Bill" Porterfield Jr., MD, passed away Feb. 27 in Charlottesville, Va., at age 93. During his 1982 presidency, Dr. Porterfield led the Society through a period of stability while bringing significant change to the organization with a more business-minded approach – and spearheading the effort that led to the widely recognized and respected "Symbol of Excellence."
Specialty mourns loss of PSF past President Brian Kinney, MD, 1954-2023
By Jim Leonardo Tuesday, May 9, 2023Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to The PSF past President Brian Kinney, MD, who died May 6 in Los Angeles, at age 69, after a long illness.
'Idolized by his patients and hugely respected by his colleagues:' Remembering David O'Donovan, 1967-2023
By Lynn Damitz, MD Tuesday, March 28, 2023Plastic surgeons around the world are paying tribute to ASPS International Member David O'Donovan, MD, Dublin, Ireland, who passed away March 15. He was 55.
Remembering a plastic surgeon and a friend to many
By Irena S. Rini, MD, & Theddeus O.H. Prasetyono, MD, PhD Monday, February 27, 2023When Donna Savitry, MD, former Secretary General of the Indonesian Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (InaPRAS), passed away Feb. 23 at age 54, the specialty lost someone who was loved and revered by many – especially young members of InaPRAS who took inspiration from Dr. Savitry through her leadership roles in our organization over the past eight years.
‘Much more than a surgeon’: Remembering David Genecov, MD, 1963-2022
By Jim Leonardo Monday, November 14, 2022The plastic surgery world was quick to pay tribute to a beloved colleague and friend, David Genecov, MD, Dallas, age 59, who tragically passed away in a motor vehicle accident on Nov. 12.
Colleagues pay tribute to Howard Gordon, MD
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, October 25, 2022Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to Howard Gordon, MD, a pioneer in aesthetic surgery who passed away last week at age 95.
Remembering a pillar of plastic surgery, David Furnas, MD, 1931-2022
By Gabrielle LaBove, MD; Lohrasb R. Sayadi, MD; Jagmeet S. Arora; Leonardo Alaniz; Heather J. Furnas, MD; & Gregory R.D. Evans, MD Wednesday, August 17, 2022David Furnas, MD, was a giant of plastic surgery who pioneered new frontiers and left a lasting impact on the specialty. He passed away peacefully on Aug. 15 at his home in Orange County, Calif., at the age of 91.
Remembering John Tebbetts, MD
By Steve Byrd, MD Monday, April 18, 2022Steve Byrd, MD, and fellow ASPS members pay tribute to John Tebbetts, MD, who passed away in March at age 75. Dr. Tebbetts is remembered as a "perfectionist in all things that he pursued."
Remembering Michael Scheflan, MD, 1945-2022
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, February 22, 2022Plastic surgeons around the world are mourning the loss of Michael Scheflan, MD, past president of the Israel Society of Plastic Surgeons and a global leader in the specialty. Dr. Scheflan passed away on Feb. 12.
Remembering ASPS past President Norman Cole, MD, 1936-2021
By Paul Snyder Monday, January 10, 2022Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to ASPS past President Norman Cole, MD, who passed away on Dec. 29. He was 85.
Remembering Bryant Toth, MD, 1950-2021
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, October 5, 2021Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to ASPS member Bryant Toth, MD, San Francisco, who passed away unexpectedly Saturday at age 71 while in Italy.
ASPS, PSF past President Garry Brody, MD, MSc, passes away at age 88
By Jim Leonardo Monday, May 3, 2021Plastic surgeons are paying tribute to Garry Brody, MD, MSc, a leader in ASPS/PSF and a noted innovator in plastic surgery, who passed away Thursday at age 88.
Remembering a true giant of craniofacial surgery: Kenneth Salyer, MD, 1936-2020
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, December 29, 2020Plastic surgeons around the world are mourning the loss of a giant in craniofacial surgery, Kenneth Salyer, MD, who passed away Monday at age 84.
Remembering ASPS past President James Hoehn, MD, 1938-2020
By Paul Snyder Monday, December 28, 2020ASPS is mourning the loss of past President James Hoehn, MD, professor emeritus of plastic surgery at Albany Medical College in New York. Dr. Hoehn passed away Thursday at age 82.
Remembering ASPS past President Elvin Zook, MD
By Paul Snyder Wednesday, November 25, 2020Plastic surgeons are mourning the loss of a specialty legend, ASPS past President Elvin Zook, MD, who passed away Tuesday at age 83.
Remembering Melvin Spira, MD, DDS, 1925-2020
By Jim Leonardo & Paul Snyder Thursday, October 8, 2020A giant in plastic surgery, Melvin Spira, MD, DDS, passed away Oct. 8 in California at age 95.
Remembering internationally renowned plastic surgeon Ian Jackson, MD, 1934-2020
By Paul Snyder Monday, August 3, 2020Plastic surgeons are mourning the loss of an internationally renowned colleague and a giant in the world of craniofacial surgery, Ian Jackson, MD, who passed away Sunday at age 85.
ASPS members pay tribute to Mark Codner, MD
By Paul Snyder Sunday, June 7, 2020ASPS members are mourning the loss of their colleague, Mark Codner, MD, who passed away suddenly on June 4.
Australia fires claim the life of respected plastic surgeon
By Paul Snyder Friday, January 10, 2020ASPS International Member Clayton Lang, MBBS, passed away Jan. 3 in one of the bush fires ravaging Australia at press time.
Plastic surgeon held a deep affinity for history
By Paul Snyder Friday, November 22, 2019A memorial service was held on Nov. 9 for Ronald Taddeo, MD, of Willougby Hills, Ohio, who passed away Oct. 27 at age 85.
Society leadership discusses breast implant concerns with patients
By Jim Leonardo & Mike Stokes Monday, October 14, 2019In the wake of increased scrutiny on breast implant safety amid reports of breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and concerns surrounding a range of symptoms identified with breast implant illness (BII), plastic surgeons and patient advocates met Sept. 20 in San Diego to share perspectives and find common ground for potential collaboration.
I. Kelman Cohen, MD, 1935-2019: Paying tribute to a pioneer, mentor and friend
By Bruce Mast, MD Monday, September 2, 2019June 9 was another sad day for plastic surgery, when a pioneer and leader in our field, I. Kelman “Kel” Cohen, MD, passed away at age 84.
Avalanche claims life of ASPS member in India
By Glenn Lyle, MD Monday, July 29, 2019Anthony Sudekum, MD, O’Fallon, Mo., died at the age of 63, on or around May 26, while attempting to climb Nanda Devi East – the second-tallest peak in the Indian Himalayan range.
Remembering Joseph S. Gruss, MB, BCh
By Paul Snyder and Jim Leonardo Tuesday, July 2, 2019Friends and colleagues are mourning the passing of ASPS member Joseph Gruss, MB, BCh, who passed away on June 26 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Carl Hartrampf, MD, 1932-2019: Remembering a giant who helped the specialty move forward
By Bruce Mast, MD | PSN Associate Editor Monday, July 1, 2019On June 20, Carl Hartrampf Jr., MD, Atlanta, passed away. Although a time like this is one of great sadness, it's also a time to rejoice for a life filled with accomplishment and meaning. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for reflection and thought about the many giants of our field and the impact they've had.
Southeast Australia's first female plastic surgeon passes
By Richard Hamilton, MD Monday, June 3, 2019Julie Lawrence, MD, the first female plastic surgeon in Adelaide, passed away May 25 at age 61.
Remembering ASPS member Deepak Narayan, MD
By Joseph Shin, MD, Cecelia Smith and John Persing, MD Monday, February 25, 2019Deepak Narayan, MD, a respected ASPS member, committed his life to advancing our collective understanding and the treatment of worldwide melanoma.
Remembering M. Samuel Noordhoff, MD, 1927-2018, whose impact was felt worldwide
By Paul Snyder Tuesday, December 4, 2018ASPS Lifetime Member M. Samuel Noordhoff, MD, Grand Rapids, Mich., passed away Monday, Dec. 3, at age 91.
Paying tribute to past president of The PSF and ASAPS founder
By Paul Snyder Saturday, September 1, 2018Simon Fredricks, MD, who served as The PSF president (then the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation) in 1981, passed away at age 92 in Houston on May 23.
Karen B. Vaniver, MD, passes at age 56
Monday, June 11, 2018Karen B. Vaniver, MD, Pasco, Wash., passed away suddenly on June 1 at age 56.
Craniofacial groundbreaker Milton Edgerton, MD, passes at age 96
Tuesday, May 22, 2018Milton Edgerton, MD, a pioneer in craniofacial surgery, died May 17 in Charlottesville, N.C., at age 96.
Hale Tolleth, MD, past president of The PSF, passes at age 87
Thursday, October 19, 2017Hale Tolleth, MD, taught his renowned sculpture course to plastic surgeons for more than 40 years and also dedicated his time serving people in need through plastic surgery mission trips to Africa, Colombia, Honduras, The Philippines and Solomon Islands, among other nations.
Rhinoplasty pioneer Jack Gunter, MD, passes at age 79
Thursday, July 13, 2017Jack Gunter, MD, age 79, died Tuesday, July 11, in Dallas. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; five daughters; three sons-in-law; and seven grandchildren.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty pioneer Gary Burget, MD, passes at age 76
Tuesday, June 6, 2017ASPS Life Member Gary Burget, MD, age 76, passed away in Chicago on Wednesday, May 31.
H. Bruce Williams, MD, past president of ASPS and The PSF, passes at age 87
Friday, March 31, 2017The Society's first president to serve from outside the United States, H. Bruce Williams, MD, passed away on March 24 at age 87 in the palliative care unit of McGill University Hospital in Montreal.
Scott Spear, MD, past president of ASPS, passes at age 68
Thursday, March 16, 2017ASPS past President and Georgetown University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery founding Chair Scott Spear, MD, Washington, D.C., died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 16, at age 68.
ASPS past president, plastic surgery leader Michael McGuire, MD, dies at age 70
Tuesday, November 15, 2016ASPS past-President Michael McGuire, MD, Santa Monica, Calif., died at home of an apparent stroke on Nov. 14, 2016, at age 70.
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