Gloria para un Gran Maestro de la Cirugìa de Tòrax Mundial

 

Dedication for Dr. Robert Jason Ginsberg (1940-2003)

Robert J. Ginsberg was a Canadian thoracic surgeon who became one of the most recognized world leaders in thoracic oncology. His success was the result of great leadership capability, drive, and innovative initiative, combined with his exceptional talent for obtaining loyal, enthusiastic support from colleagues from every level of status and experience. These leadership and organizational talents were exemplified by his coordination of the University of Toronto Thoracic Surgery Group and their highly successful role in the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)–sponsored Lung Cancer Study Group (LCSG) trials.

Robert Jason Ginsberg

Bob was born, raised, and largely educated in Toronto. He graduated with honors (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1963, and he obtained his Canadian certificate in general surgery in 1968. He then became the first Chief Resident in the newly created Division of General Thoracic Surgery at Toronto General Hospital (TGH) at the University of Toronto.He subsequently spent 1 year as a Fellow at Baylor University School of Medicine in Dallas, Texas, on the Cardiothoracic Service of Drs. Donald Paulson and Harold Urschel. At that time, Donald Paulson was a world leader in the surgical staging and operative management of lung cancer. Bob spent the following year as Senior Registrar at the University of Birmingham in England. There he acquired further knowledge of thoracic surgery and met Dr. Gordon Cummings, who stimulated his lifelong interest in pulmonary function studies and their practical application for the management of resectable lung cancer.Bob died on March 1, 2003. He was a founding editor of this textbook, and the thoracic surgery volume of this third edition is appropriately dedicated in his name. He is greatly missed by his friends, colleagues, and students.

QUALITIES

A gruff, sometimes forbidding, demeanor camouflaged a vibrant, warm personality and a willingness to give his all for colleagues, students, or patients.Astonishingly unselfish behavior was happily combined with unusual foresight. As his mentor Harold Urschel frequently observed, “Bob Ginsberg could see the big picture.” Bob's selflessness recruited enthusiastic and loyal support from everyone.These qualities were exemplified on the occasion of the appointment of a new Chief of General Thoracic Surgery at TGH and the University of Toronto in 1978. Many expected Bob to be appointed the new Chief of General Thoracic Surgery, but he did have competition. Dr. Joel D. Cooper, who had been on staff in the TGH Division of General Thoracic Division since migrating from the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1972, had previously indicated his wish to stay in Canada for about 5 years and then return to his native United States. But Joel changed his mind and threw his hat into the ring for the Chief of General Thoracic Surgery position. When doing so, he stated that, if appointed, he was prepared to remain in Toronto for the next 10 years. About 2 weeks after Joel's declaration of interest, Bob appeared in Dr. F. Griffith Pearson's office stating that he wanted to withdraw his name for consideration. When asked why, Bob replied, “If I take the job, Joel Cooper will leave, and that would be a great loss for Toronto.” This was a selfless act but, in the end, a great judgment by Bob. Within 1 year, Joel recruited Bob to the staff of TGH and appointed Bob Director of Thoracic Oncology. These two individualistic and exceptionally able men complemented one another, and the Division of Thoracic Surgery undoubtedly became stronger for their dual presence.Bob was a very skilled technical surgeon, remaining cool and innovative under duress. For trainees at all levels, he was a consummate teacher. Some found him unduly frank and outspoken with his judgments, but this was always aimed at the best interest of the student.Finally, he was a compassionate man. Inevitably, he became much loved and appreciated by his colleagues and was generally revered by his patients.