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Jefferson Surgical Solutions

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Ernest L. “Gary” Rosato, MD, FACS, died March 17, 2021, at age 57 following a courageous battle with glioblastoma. Gary spent 34 years of his life as part of the Jefferson family—first as a student, then a resident and, for the last 24 years, as a faculty member.

He was born January 10, 1964, in Philadelphia to Gertrude and Francis E. Rosato, Sr., MD. He served as senior class president at Episcopal Academy and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 1986. Gary went on to medical school at Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College), graduating in 1990. After completing his general surgery residency at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1996, he joined the faculty as an instructor before advancing through the ranks to become a full professor in 2010.

For more than 50 years, the Rosato family has been linked to the Department of Surgery at Jefferson. Gary’s father spent 22 years as Chair of the Department of Surgery and served as the sixth Samuel D. Gross Professor of Surgery. (For more about the Rosato family legacy, please see “Those Who Give” on page 4.) During his own nearly quarter-century at Jefferson, Gary assumed multiple leadership roles, including Chief of the Division of General Surgery and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, as well as founder and first director of the Jefferson Gastroesophageal Center. He also held leadership positions in numerous professional societies, published more than 85 peer-reviewed publications and received grant funding for numerous clinical trials.

Gary helped train scores of surgical residents and medical students. He was recognized with the Jefferson Medical College Dean’s Citation for Advancement of Education in 2005 and 2010, the Jefferson Medical College Dean’s Citation for Faculty Mentoring in 2006 and the Thomas Jefferson University Outstanding Clinician Award in 2010.

Gary is survived by his wife Jeannette (n e Kolmen), his son Francis Ernest, MD, his son Ernest Lancelot (Gary), Jr., and his daughter Madeline Claire. He is also survived by siblings Anne V. Rosato, MD, Gertrude M. Rosato (James Simpson), Frances E. Rosato, Jr., MD (Kimberly) and Aimee Ainslie (Jeffrey).

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Dr. Rosato, please call Kelly Austin at 215-955-6383.

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