Posted on August 30, 2018
ADAO is profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. David Sugarbaker, World Renowned Thoracic Surgeon, and Mesothelioma Researcher.
Dr. Sugarbaker was more than a gifted thoracic surgeon and researcher, he was a friend.
For 26 years, Sugarbaker practiced at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and built the International Mesothelioma Program, which has become one of the largest mesothelioma treatment and research programs in the world.
After teaching surgery at Harvard Medical School, Sugarbaker went on to become the director of the Lung Institute at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Mesothelioma patients from across the nation traveled to Houston for treatment and checkups.
I vividly remember searching for an expert when Alan was diagnosed in 2003. At that time, I only knew of a handful of thoracic surgeons and oncologists specializing in treating mesothelioma. Of course, Dr. Sugarbaker was on the top of my list. During the past fifteen years, countless patients have sung the praises of Dr. Sugarbaker and are monumentally grateful for his expert care.
On multiple occasions at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMIG) conferences I heard Dr. Sugarbaker present and had the opportunity to talk with him. His passion and dedication to patients, their families, and a cure were seen and felt. As an knowledgeable researcher, Dr Sugarbaker published numerous articles on mesothelioma including “Extrapleural Pneumonectomy in the Treatment of Epithelioid Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.”
Revered by his colleagues, Dr. Raja Flores said, “He trained an entire generation of not only surgeons, but leaders. Dr. Sugarbaker’s surgical legacy will live on.”
ADAO sends heartfelt condolences to Dr. Sugarbaker’s wife, their children, and his brother — Paul Sugarbaker, a peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon.
In unity and grief,
Linda
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