Introduction to Festschrift for Tom R DeMeester

Excerpt

Although there are many measures of a successful surgical career: the patients we treat, the residents we train, the departments we build, or the knowledge we contribute, arguably one of the greatest is the “disciples” we leave behind. Through a career spanning well over 30 years, Tom DeMeester has taken joy and pride in inviting young surgeons from all over the world to join him for a year or two in the pursuit of excellence in the clinical care and research of esophageal and foregut disease. For those of us who had this unique experience (I had the pleasure of being Tom’s first clinical esophageal fellow), we found a man with an uncompromising dedication to his work and life, providing an example of excellence not only in clinical care and research but also in life and leisure. Through these fellows, Tom’s impact on the field of esophageal disease has been enormous. Through Tom and Carol’s generous spirit and example, their impact on our lives has been equally significant. …