Dr. Gregorio A. Sicard, former chief of vascular surgery and director of general surgery within the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, passed away.
“The impact of Dr. Sicard will endure in the countless patients whose lives he touched, the many surgeons he trained, and the field of medicine he helped to transform,” said John A. Olson Jr., MD, PhD, the Bixby Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at WashU Medine. “We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Sicard’s wife Kathy and their family during this difficult time.”
Dr. Sicard impacted the lives of thousands of patients in our region through his expert care of patients with complex general and vascular surgery problems. Yet, his reach extended far beyond St Louis: As a national and international thought leader in vascular surgery, he played a pivotal role in the development of endovascular procedures for vascular diseases, and his vision helped shape the emergence of vascular surgery as a specialty.
“While recognized as an outstanding leader of the vascular surgery team at WashU Medicine, Dr. Sicard was also a selfless contributor to many other sections of general surgery as the division chief and as department executive vice chair,” said William Chapman, MD, the Eugene M. Bricker Professor of Surgery, who is director of the Division of General Surgery and chief of the Section of Transplant Surgery. “He was one of the most sought-after surgeons for advice in difficult situations.”
Dr. Sicard trained in surgery at Barnes Hospital in the 1970s and spent his entire 40-year career in the Department of Surgery at WashU Medicine. As chief of vascular surgery (1983-2011), director of general surgery (1998-2007), and executive vice chair of surgery (2000-2011), Dr. Sicard mentored hundreds of faculty, trainees, and students, and was a trusted advisor to leaders in our department and across our institution. In 2011, Washington University honored his service with the establishment of the Gregorio A. Sicard Distinguished Professorship in Vascular Surgery.
“Greg Sicard was the consummate ‘surgeon’s surgeon.’ He was the expert others called upon for advice with challenging cases,” said Timothy Eberlein, MD, the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and director of Siteman Cancer Center. Eberlein served as chair of the Department of Surgery from 1998-2022. “In St. Louis, he was also, more than anyone else, the person who effectively bridged the divide between private physicians and the academic community. Literally, everyone in surgery in this community knew and admired Greg. Nationally, he also had a major influence in two significant ways. He led and fostered the transition from open to endovascular surgery, and he was also the calm voice of reason between the vascular surgery and general surgery communities.
“Beyond his wide and lasting impact in surgery, he was a role model for his devotion to his family,” Eberlein said. “Everyone knew of his love and pride in every member of his extended family. His finely honed sense of humor also endeared Greg to all of us who were lucky to have him as a friend and colleague. His legacy is unparalleled, and he will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Sicard was instrumental in creating the first vascular surgery fellowship program at Washington University. He trained and mentored hundreds of fellows and residents, many of whom went on to lead programs of their own across the United States, Latin America, and Europe. He regarded his legacy of trainees as his greatest achievement.
Memorial service details will be shared as they become available.