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05/18/2021 John M. Giurini, DPM
The Passing of Geoffry M. Habershaw, DPM
On May 14, podiatry lost a giant in the profession. Dr. Geoffrey Habershaw passed away suddenly doing something he enjoyed: walking on the beach with his wife, Nanette, in Hawaii. Geoff was my first residency director, first Chief, a mentor and a colleague. So much of what I learned and have become is because of Geoff. He taught me to be definitive and innovative in surgery. He taught me to treat all patients with respect. He served as a mentor to so many residents and future diabetic foot specialists. In fact it can be argued that Geoff helped establish surgical care of the diabetic foot as a distinct specialty. Geoff Habershaw succeeded Jack Donovan as Chief of Podiatry at the New England Deaconess Hospital in the early 80s. He started a collaboration with Drs. Frank Wheelock, Gary Gibbons and George Kozak that led to the development of the multidisciplinary approach for the management of diabetic foot problems. This has become the standard for the care of this challenging problem. His surgical approach to the diabetic foot set the surgical standard and lay the groundwork for reconstructive surgery of the diabetic foot.
Personally, Geoff served as a mentor as I succeeded him as Chief. Knowing that I could not fill his shoes, I could only try to emulate the respect he showed his patients and staff. He would always care for some of the most difficult patients, not only from a clinical standpoint but from a social standpoint, always with compassion and respect.
One of my first interactions with Geoff was the morning he called me to offer me the residency program. It was January, 1983. It was the year that CASPR had suspended the match. Students were being offered programs immediately after the interview and expected to make a decision on the spot. Geoff called me at 6am California time to offer me the program. He told me to take a few days to think about it before responding. That showed me the true gentleman that Geoff was. I told him I didn’t need to think about it – I accepted on the spot. To say that phone call changed my life would be beyond an understatement.
I know that I speak for everyone that came in contact with Geoff, worked with him, trained by him or treated by him, that he will be deeply missed but forever remembered as someone who truly changed lives. To Nanette, Austin, and Hilary, please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. We all lost a great man.
John M. Giurini, DPM, Boston, MA
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