Farewell to an Esteemed Colleague and Friend
Farewell to an Esteemed Colleague and Friend
Dr. Peter Gazes died on April 2, at the age of 97. Dr. Gazes was a highly regarded member of the medical community for many decades. He was the first board-certified cardiologist in South Carolina, where he worked at MUSC, maintained a private practice, traveled to clinics in nearby cities, and published hundreds of medical papers and dozens of book chapters. He established the Cardiology division within MUSC, where he was also the founder of what is now known as The Gazes Cardiac Research Institute.
Dr Gazes was a good friend to SACS. We can’t remember a year he did not attend the Annual Meeting, with wife Athena at his side and accompanied by son-in-law and daughter – Dr and Mrs. Grayson. An avid golfer, he won more sleeves of balls than we can count and never failed to have a joke ready to share.
A few comments and memories from our Steering Committee…
“He was a real cardiology giant and trailblazer who added so much to the field. Also, obviously a wonderful family man. We should all celebrate his long and rich life.”
“The passing of an icon… The stories, jokes, and commentary Peter had was always a highlight and will be dearly missed. Peter certainly was the epitome of the consummate physician, educator and friend.”
“I learned how to read ECGs from him as a medical student and resident. Great man.”
“I first heard about Peter Gazes when I was in medical school (circa 1974) rounding with Dr. Hurst and the team at Grady-Emory. Thought short in physical stature, Peter Gazes was a luminary in clinical Cardiology and research. My family had the opportunity of attending a Cardiology meeting in Charleston during the Spoleto festival many years ago. I remember that Peter, when we were chatting about the lectures and Cardiology, insisted that my family and I attend the church production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (still the best performance I’ve experienced), which we truly loved and I thanked him for that recommendation the next morning. At South Atlantic meetings he would bring his A game, in golf and cardiovascular wisdom and wit. We should honor his memory with the way we practice every day.”
“They are not making them like him anymore. He was great to be around and obviously loved what he did.”
“One of the wonderful and unique things about the SACS meeting was the ability to interact with people with tremendous clinical experience in cardiovascular disease, such as Dr. Gazes in a relaxed environment.“
“Then the Saturday night party would come and along with it his transformation into the irreverent jokester that kept us on the edge of our seat, waiting for the edgy punch line to come down.“
“I will miss his positive spirit, his determination, and his love of golf. He will be missed greatly by the Murrah’s.”
-C. Patrick Murrah, M.D.
Southern Medical Group, P.A.
Div Cardiothoracic Surgery
Tallahassee Memorial Hospital
