08/13/2024    Tilden Sokoloff, DPM

The Passing of Frank Donald Tomasello, DPM

Frank was the essence of the Jewish word "mensch."
In 1967, I received a telephone call that literally
changed my life and Francine's life forever. Frank
(Known as Don) along with 3 other stellar East Bay
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine called to tell me
that I was chosen to be their 1967-68
resident...Wow life-changing for a Philadelphia boy
in a world where residency programs were scarce.

They started and literally ran the residency
program at Highland General Hospital in Oakland
California. A large County Hospital and Trauma
Center. Henri L. DuVries was Chief of Foot Surgery.
Roger Mann was a 3rd year orthopedic resident. It
was no easy fete to pull off.

Frank had the ability to relate to everyone helped
establish that program that changed the future of
podiatric surgery nationally.

When Leonard Levy, the Dean of CCPM offered four of
us the first 2nd year surgery residency leading to
a Master of Science degree in Surgery, Frank
Tomasello created a way for our program to rotate
between the California Podiatry Hospital ( Pacific
Coast) and Highland.

Frank was a quiet giant along with Charles Ormond,
Frank Fields, Wayne Collins. (All DPM's)

Frank was my mentor, neighbor and friend. His wife
Penny was the light of his life and kept us all
laughing.

Like Tim stated, he welcomed us newbies, helped us
set up our office, facilitated hospital privileges
at the only hospital that would have us, Levine
hospital.

Frank is a man that will live with all of us who
had the golden opportunity to know him. Job well
done and thank you for all that you did for me and
my family. May your memory be a blessing to all who
loved you. Our thoughts and prayers to Penny, David
and Vanessa.

PS: Had a great opportunity to reminisce and just
be a couple of months ago, a gift.

Tilden Sokoloff, DPM

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