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12/19/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
Rich was a classmate at NYCPM. We were a small group of 42 men. We were all close. I saw Rich through the years at meetings. For a while, he practiced in Massachusetts and Vermont. Condolences to his family. RIP my friend.
Lloyd Smith, DPM
Other messages in this thread:
06/26/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
I was shocked to hear of Glenn's passing. He was a friend and mentor for over 30 years. Glenn gave me my first job in podiatry and taught me so much about the business of podiatry. He was patient, kind, generous, and a great teacher with an incredible work ethic. In the years that passed, I would stop by his office every other year or so just to say hello and catch up, and these always turned into hour long conversations about life.
My sincere condolences to his children, Ben and Kayla. Glenn was a special man who genuinely loved people, his beloved pets, and skiing. He will be missed by all. Rest in peace, Glenn.
Steven I Gubernick, DPM, Lawrenceville, NJ
06/25/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
RE: The Passing of Willie Mays
From: Jeff Root
This week baseball legend Willie Mays passed away at the age of ninety-three. My father Merton Root, DPM had several of the San Francisco Giants as patients. Gaylord Perry gave my father tickets to a game for my birthday and invited me to come into the clubhouse before the game to meet the players. I idolized several of the Giant's players, especially Willie Mays.
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Willie Mays and Jeff Root (1957) |
While walking around the locker room being introduced to players by Gaylord Perry, Willie Mays invited me over to his bench for a picture with him. I think I was speechless. I will never forget how kind and warm he was. What an amazing athlete, role model and human being he was.
Jeff Root, President, KevinRoot Medical
06/13/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
RE: The Passing of Peter Crickellas, DPM
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Peter Crickellas. Pete and I were lab and clinic partners while at NYCPM and had remained best of friends since.
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Dr. Peter Crickellas |
Peter was a well decorated Vietnam veteran who received the Bronze Star, The Silver Star, Legion of Merit for gallantry in action, and a Purple Heart. Peter left podiatry after practicing for several years to pursue his second love, teaching biology. I will miss you brother. Rest in Peace.
Tom Pusterla, DPM
05/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Gerald Peterson, DPM, Harold Glickman, DPM, Steven J Berlin, DPM
Many hours were spent together during the annual House of Delegates over the years discussing the business of the House and getting his perspective on the issues. His wisdom and insight was always invaluable to me, let alone his friendship. You will be missed my friend. RIP
Gerald Peterson, DPM
I can’t think of a more iconic figure on the Board of Trustees than Jack George. He had the leadership skills to transcend podiatric generations. Along with Arthur Helfand, DPM, Jack had a profound effect on my career as a podiatric physician.
Harold Glickman, DPM, Past President, APMA
I will miss Jack George. He was a fun guy to be with and he was a wonderful asset to our great profession. My condolences go out to Jack and his family.
Steven J Berlin, DPM
05/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
From: David Alper, DPM
For those of you that did not have the good fortune to know Dr. Jack George, he was more than just a past-president (1992) - he was a true force to be reckoned with, both within the House of Delegates and out in the medical community. His presence in the HOD was at the level of Drs. Kanat and Kaplan - when he spoke, the room got quiet and people listened as he helped drive our profession forward.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Jack committed himself to elevating and protecting the profession of podiatry, first in Massachusetts, and later on a national level. He was instrumental, through advocacy and legal action, in breaking through prejudice by organized medicine, ultimately convincing key hospitals in Worcester, MA to allow, for the first time, podiatrists to perform surgery on site, and qualified podiatrists to be included in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Medicaid. He helped Lloyd Smith and me successfully sue our hospitals for privileges after his success in Worcester.
And he was a "King Maker" - Lloyd Smith, Mike King, myself and others became deeply involved in our state society and APMA because of being chosen and guided by Jack. He firmly believed in the need to ensure that leadership was in place. He was a dear friend to podiatry - and to me. I will miss his wisdom, his passion - and his presence in my life.
David Alper, DPM
05/24/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
RE: The Passing of John Eblem George, DPM
Jack was an iconic figure in the evolution of Massachusetts podiatry. He helped redefine the profession in so many ways. He never faltered. He was a mentor and friend to many of us as we navigated the obstacles of organized medicine and its threats to our livelihoods.
Jack and I shared so many experiences and talked so many times. He went on to become the APMA President and motivated many of us to follow. My condolences to his wife, Joyce, his family and his many friends. RIP.
Lloyd Smith, DPM
05/13/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
From: Jeffrey Jensen, DPM
Condolences to the Hommel family. Dr. Hommel was an incredible podiatrist and is the reason I went into podiatric medicine. He let me shadow him in the summers of 1986 and 1987. He had a tremendous reputation as the “Runner’s Doctor” – he made orthotics and treated many marathon runners over the years in the Madison area. In fact, many out-of-state runners flew into Madison to be treated by him.
In the early '80s, he surgically corrected my mother’s bunions and hammertoes with excellent outcomes. He was kind and personable and his patients loved him. He always made time for me, was never in a rush, and explained pathologies and treatment plans. A wonderful human being! RIP Dr. Hommel.
Jeffrey Jensen, DPM
05/07/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Richard A. Buratti, DPM
I was one of the many 1st and 2nd year podiatric residents at the Southern California Podiatric Medical Center, which was an independent clinic and teaching institution where outside attending podiatrists and surgeons, including Richard Buratti, DPM, volunteered their time without pay to advance our profession by lecturing and teaching clinical skills and forefoot and rear-foot surgery, both in Los Angeles and at our two Mexico clinics in Tijuana and Mexicali that ran under the name of the Baja Crippled Children's Program.
In addition, Dr. Buratti would allow the residents to come to his office and shadow him with his patients, and also scrub in on his private patient cases as well. We considered him to be a very progressive surgeon during that period of time in the early 1980s. He looked at the foot from a biomechanical perspective and was an excellent teacher of mid-foot and rearfoot anatomical surgical dissection for procedures that were considered advanced at that time, including calcaneal osteotomies, peroneal tendon balancing, and cuboid osteotomies.
I am certain that I am not alone in saying that I enjoyed his teachings and I learned some of my surgical skills and clinical skills from him. He was a pleasure to have known, and to have worked with. He always had a calm and reassuring demeanor. To his wife Ilona who I have met many times, your husband was a fine man and a great teacher. To Dawn, and Ilona I send my condolences and best wishes.
Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA
05/07/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
I am saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Richard Buratti. As a teenager, I worked as a nurse’s aide in the operating room at Van Nuys Community Hospital where Dr. Buratti performed and taught surgery. I have fond memories of Dr. Buratti who treated all with kindness and respect. My thoughts and prayers go out to Dawn and the entire Buratti family.
Ross E. Taubman, DPM
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Buratti. I worked for Dr. Buratti in his Northridge office in the nineties. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor. He was passionate about podiatry and loved to teach and was incredibly methodical in his approach to surgery. I was fortunate enough to earn a ride on his Cessna where he flew us to Catalina Island for a burger. My condolences to his wife Ilona and his daughter, Dawn. He was an asset to the profession.
Randi Margolis, DPM, Delray Beach, FL
05/02/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
From: Steven J Berlin, DPM, Harold W. Vogler, DPM
I read with smiles about all the wonderful things that have been said about Michael Forman! Michael was a dear friend and classmate. We both started OCPM in 1962. He was a true gentleman and scholar and will be greatly missed, particularly when I visit Cleveland. I know that all those who had a close relationship with him will also miss his presence and his opinions. I also want to give Blanche, his lovely wife and their family our love. He will be forever missed.
Steven J Berlin, DPM
I remember Michael well from the late ‘70s and early ’80s. He was a frequent speaker during these times on major podiatric symposia. He was a generous teacher and educator with novel ideas about various conditions/operations. It was great just chatting with him to pick his creative mind. He was a great guy, eager to engage and teach. He will be missed.
Harold W. Vogler, DPM
05/01/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Marshall G. Solomon, DPM, Howard Dananberg, DPM
It is with great sadness that I learned of Michael Forman, DPM passing. He was a great mentor at OCPM in biomechanics and the College podiatry clinic. Truly a caring person and outstanding DPM. May his memory be a blessing.
Marshall G. Solomon, DPM
I was a 1975 graduate of OCPM and Dr. Forman was my first professor of biomechanics. My pursuit of this knowledge was based on the joy with which he presented. He will surely be missed.
Howard Dananberg, DPM
05/01/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
From: Mark H. Feldman, DPM, MS
Our loss of Dr. Michael Forman leaves our profession without an exemplary teacher, me without a lifelong friend and colleague, and our students with the loss of a dedicated professor. His White Coat is unlikely to be soon, if ever, filled. I knew him in 73-74 when I was privileged to be Co-Director of Surgery at then OCPM.
He made me feel welcome and helped me through the maze of my first teaching appointment. We became lifelong friends. That unholy illness has taken a wonderful man that I will deeply miss the remainder of my days. Rest well Michael, you are much loved.
Mark H. Feldman, DPM, MS, Pompano Beach, FL
04/30/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1C
From: Jack Ressler, DPM, Stephen Musser, DPM
I am saddened to read of the passing of Michael Forman. I was fortunate enough to be under his guidance in clinical rotations while attending OCPM in the early ‘80s. Michael was always helpful in his teachings and guidance and would do it in a way that he would never talk down to his students. For those of you that were fortunate enough to have him as a clinician, we learned so much about patient care. Who can forget the cool way he would open up a Coverlet bandage from the middle instead of the edge. My condolences to the Forman family.
Jack Ressler, DPM
My condolences to Dr. Forman's family. I had the privilege of being one of his students at OCPM back in the mid- to late eighties. I found him very knowledgeable and respectful. He even allowed me to shadow him on Saturday mornings at his office where he shared additional knowledge and wisdom. Thank you Dr. Forman. You will be missed.
Stephen Musser, DPM, Cleveland, OH
04/30/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
From: Gene Sherwood, DPM, Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
I had Dr. Forman as a teacher for biomechanics during my time at OCPM. He was a great teacher and able to convey the concepts, especially to new students. He had a wonderful personality and was easy to talk to... a great teacher.
Gene Sherwood, DPM (retired)
There are just some people who really make a difference in your life. Mike Forman was one of those people...first as my biomechanics instructor at OCPM where he brought a sense of humor and sparked curious minds to a difficult subject, then as a colleague and friend. He had a way to make you feel good about yourself in any situation.
He was always glad to see you and made sure you knew it. He was a leader, although I don’t think he saw himself as such. He just felt you needed to be involved and involved he was in education, post doctoral training, continuing medical education, and podiatry politics. I aspire to be like him.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM, National Podiatric Medical Director, VA Central Office
04/30/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Greg Caringi, DPM, Richard Jaffe, DPM
When I moved to Cleveland in 1976, I honestly didn't know that much about podiatry. It turned-out to be a good 4 years. There were many professors who left an imprint because of their special interests. Dr. Forman will always be remembered not for any one thing that he did well, but for everything he represented. He was smart, kind, and had a great sense of humor. He cared about his patients and his students. He made me want to succeed in this profession. He likely was the first podiatrist who was a positive role model for me and many others. RIP Mikie.
Greg Caringi, DPM, North Wales, PA
Mike Forman was a bright light during my days as a student at OCPM in the late '60s. Always optimistic and caring, he was just a few years older than the students. Yet, he radiated hope and encouragement for the future at a time when the school was in tremendous turmoil. His devotion to our profession was total.
I had the pleasure to meet with him and his lovely wife, Blanche, when they visited Israel a few years ago. It was great to see that his positive views continued throughout his life. Podiatry never had a better representative or supporter than Mike Forman and he will always be remembered by those who knew and loved him. RIP Mike.
Richard Jaffe, DPM
04/24/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
From: Rock Positano, DPM
Tom brought class and elegance to our profession. Unbelievably gifted, skilled, and intelligent.
Rock Positano, DPM
04/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: Passing of Dr. Tom Azzolini (Joe Boylan, DPM)
I was a resident at St. Mary's Hospital at the Franciscan Health System Program when Dr. Azzolini first became our director. He was an asset to our program. With his wealth of surgical knowledge and his eagerness to teach us residents, he turned the program into a 3-year surgical program. We all benefitted from his medical and surgical knowledge.
I remember as residents sitting in the on-call room the night before cases. We all looked at the board to see who was operating the following morning. When Dr. Azzolini (we would call him AZZ), had a case, we would all jump to scrub in on his case. If there was no room to scrub, we would go just to watch him operate and teach us residents.
He opened his doors to us residents at the OR and his office. He was all about teaching and promoting the profession, in every way possible. He never turned any of us down and was always there with a helping hand. He will be missed by all his residents who went through the program. My condolences to his wife, daughter, and family.
Joseph Cione, DPM
04/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
The sadness of a loss such as this is unwavering, but with loss comes reflection. All of us who had the privilege to train under the guidance of Dr. Azzolini are better physicians, surgeons, spouses, sons/daughters, parents, and human beings because of his mentorship and what he expected from us each day. Strict but fair, kind but stern, demanding but understanding, tempered but funny, all characteristics of a true leader and one that completely resonated with me.
Simply put, you were prepared every day during residency without him ever telling you that you need to be prepared, that’s how he operated. His graduates are shining examples of the presence he had on all of us and for it, we are forever grateful, but deeply saddened that he is no longer here.
Jeffrey Baker, DPM, Chicago, IL
04/19/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
It was sad to read of Dr. Azzolini's passing. We met when I took a mini-residency at Doctors Hospital and Tom was a 2nd year resident. He spent an inordinate amount of time educating us on the way and why they do things at Doctors Hospital. He was a great teacher. That carried over to his being a residency director who turned-out well-trained podiatrists. Dr. Boylan said it best about Tom: A Podiatry Hall of Famer. This is a big loss to our profession. Rest in peace.
Chris Robertozzi, DPM, Newton, NJ
04/19/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
It is with a heavy heart I write to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Tom Azzolini, a remarkable and truly memorable figure in the medical community. Dr. Azzolini was not just a skilled surgeon but also a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many, including me.
During my time as a resident at Atlanta Hospital, Tom served as one of my senior residents, and his impact on my professional life is immeasurable. His dedication to his craft was evident in every surgery he performed, his skill unmatched and his confidence unwavering. But beyond his surgical prowess, Tom was a gifted teacher, always willing to impart his knowledge and experience to those around him.
One of the qualities that truly set Tom apart was his sense of humor. He had a way of lightening the mood in the operating room with his witty remarks and infectious laughter. I can still hear him saying “bright lights and cold steel baby” as he entered the OR. The loss of Dr. Azzolini leaves a void in the medical community that cannot be filled. His legacy will live on, not only through the countless lives he touched as a podiatric surgeon, but also through the lessons he taught and the memories he created with those fortunate enough to have known him. May his spirit continue to inspire us all to strive for excellence in everything we do. With deepest sympathy,
Kevin Pearson, DPM
04/18/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 2
From: Mark Stempler, DPM
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Ira Tartack. I got to know him during my podiatric residency through the New York College of Podiatric Medicine way back in 1991. I found him to be so knowledgeable and approachable that I would always call him with difficult podiatric cases throughout the years. He always provided me with his sage and warm advice. I will really deeply miss him. He was my mentor but also a friend. Goodbye Ira.
Mark Stempler, DPM, Lakewood, NJ
04/18/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1
RE: The Passing of Tom Azzolini, DPM
From: Joe Boylan, DPM
Sadly, I report that on 4-15-2024, Tom Azzolini, DPM passed after battling recurrent lymphoma cancer. My deep condolences to his wife Helen and daughter Montana.
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Dr. Tom Azzolini |
I met Tom when we were students at NYCPM. I was in the Class of 1987 and he was in the Class of 1988. As a student, Tom had a very clear vision of getting the finest surgical training and then practicing where he could use his skills to their fullest extent. He graduated from NYCPM in 1988, then completed 2 years of residency training at Atlanta Hospital. In 1990, he began in private practice in...
Editor's note: Dr. Boylan's extended-length letter can be read here.
04/15/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
I am sad by the passing of Ira Tartack. I really enjoyed his company at the podiatry meetings. He was very cheerful, outgoing, and had a nice personality. Ira definitively made his presence known, rest in peace brother.
Walter Perez, DPM
Ira was a talented surgeon, great instructor, always there to help a colleague, and all-around genuine mensch! He always added something to a discussion that he seemingly pulled out of his hat, and was always on spot. Sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Howard Dinowitz, DPM
03/28/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
The Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) community is deeply saddened by the passing of its long celebrated and adored alumnus, former faculty and the KSUCPM Hall of Fame member, Allan M. Spencer, DPM. Born November 17th, 1930, Dr. Spencer passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the age of 93. Dr. Spencer made great strides in his many years practicing and teaching podiatric medicine, and leaves behind a great legacy, which can be explored by clicking here.
03/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
RE: The Passing of Allan Spencer, DPM
Dr. Allan Spencer was a great professor and a wonderful person. He was kind, smart, and always generous with his time. As a student, I remember, he would always make time to teach. As a student, at times I found biomechanics challenging, yet after clinic, he would always take the time to explain any challenging concepts. He always was kind and gave students the utmost respect.
His peaceful demeanor made learning very easy. I know his son Scott will follow in his steps as he teaches the next generation. My condolences to Scott and his family. Your dad was a great teacher and a special man.
Michael Levi, DPM, Santa Monica, CA, OCPM Class of 1987
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