It is with deep sadness that I write about the loss of one of the founders of ITSCC. Stu Salasche passed away at home last Thursday after a brief illness. The news came from Els Duviganeau, his partner for the last 14 years, and I have no other details at this time. I’m sure there will be tributes to Stu regarding his career in many venues as he was instrumental in the growth and development of Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery. For those of you who have memories of Stu, Ida Orengo and Tracy Thomas are collecting recollections in order to compile a memorial. Please send any thoughts and remembrances to Tracy Thomas at tltderm@gmail.com and feel free to share them on the listserv. Many of you did not have the opportunity to know Stu as he retired about 15 years ago and after retirement pursued interests outside of Medicine and Dermatology. It is not an exaggeration to say that there would not be an ITSCC in its present form if not for Stu. Stu played an instrumental role in organizing ITSCC, but an even greater role in finding the funding necessary to launch and sustain the organization. He also arranged for EDI to provide essential organizational support. He had the vision to see the need transplant patients have for dermatologic care and that caring for these patients would advance our understanding of the care of all patients with cutaneous malignancies. Stu was a warm and caring individual who trained many dermatologic surgeons in his fellowship programs and through courses at meetings while mentoring many more and providing others with that simple encouragement or introduction that helped advance their career. He will be greatly missed.
Tom
Thomas Stasko, MD