Thomas H. Covey Jr., MD, passed away Friday, March 20, 2026.
Dr. Covey was a surgeon who made a lasting impact at WashU Medicine in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dr. Covey earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1961. He completed his surgical residency at the University of Michigan in 1964.
Dr. Covey joined the faculty at Jewish Hospital/WashU Medicine in 1972. He was an early advocate for the use of non-invasive diagnostic techniques in vascular surgery. Dr. Covey was also a key figure in the establishment of the multidisciplinary Enterostomal Care Clinic at Jewish Hospital. He was named acting surgeon-in-chief of Jewish Hospital in September 1975 and served as associate director of the Department of Surgery at Jewish Hospital/WashU Medicine.
In 1984, Dr. Covey returned to his home state of West Virginia to join the faculty of West Virginia University School of Medicine. He held many teaching and administrative positions at WVU School of Medicine until his retirement in 2001 as a professor of surgery.
The Department of Surgery at WVU School of Medicine established the Dr. Thomas H. Covey, Jr., MD Lectureship in honor of his lifetime of service. Multiple faculty members from WashU Medicine have served as visiting professors through the lectureship since its establishment in 2003.
Dr. Thomas Covey Jr. was a dedicated surgeon who made significant contributions to the WashU Medicine community. Condolences may be sent to his family at https://www.hastingsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/thomas-covey-jr.
Read more about Dr. Covey from WVU here, or learn more about the lectureship here.
