Ernest L. Mazzaferri, SR., MD

Dr. Ernest L. Mazzaferri, Sr., passed away on May 14, 2013, at the age of 76 (1,2). Ernie, as he was known to his family, friends, and nearly all of his colleagues, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Ernie graduated from Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1962. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Training in Endocrinology and was the Chief Medical Resident there as well.

Ernie stayed on at Ohio State as a faculty member rising to the rank of full Professor and serving as the Director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism from 1974−1978. He then moved to the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was the Chairman of Internal Medicine from 1978−1984 and Acting Dean from 1979−1981. He was recruited back to Ohio State as the Chair of Internal Medicine from 1984−1999, and he subsequently “retired” from his major administrative role and became an active faculty member at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

In addition to his work as a physician, educator, researcher, and leader, Ernie served as a U.S. Air Force Captain from 1964−1966 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. He remained a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, a responsibility that included active duty service in 1990 and 1991.

Ernie was a consummate academic physician. He was renowned at Ohio State as a teacher and supporter of medical students, residents, and young faculty. His enthusiasm for patient care, teaching, and research were legendary. Ernie was a superb clinician, taking exemplary care of patients with compassion and care. He received numerous awards at Ohio State that speak to the breadth and depth of his skills as a physician, researcher, and educator. At the national level he was elected as a Master of the American College of Physicians, was the chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Endocrinology and Diabetes section, and was a member of the ABIM Board of Directors. In these leadership roles, Ernie helped shape the field of endocrinology and enhanced both trainee and physician education opportunities.

Ernie was a major contributor to the field of thyroidology, particularly in the area of thyroid cancer. His research for more than three decades helped define the standard of care in the field. In addition to his groundbreaking work in clinical aspects of managing patients with thyroid cancer, Ernie was always eager to accept new data and embrace new investigators into the field, a characteristic that enabled him to mentor an astounding number of young physicians. Though a clinical researcher at heart, he collaborated with cell and cancer biologists to define the nature of thyroid cancer. Ernie was elected to become the President of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), was the chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network thyroid cancer guidelines committee, served on the ATA thyroid nodules and cancer guidelines committee, and was a frequent and outstanding speaker at national and international meetings. He received the Paul Starr Award in 1998 from the ATA.

Despite all of these tremendous accolades, Ernie remained humble and focused first on his family and his patients. As noted by his colleague, Dr. Richard Kloos (3), in a letter sent by Ernie to his patients upon his retirement from Ohio State, Ernie stated that he has “been truly blessed to enjoy my life's work so much of the years and to be associated with so many wonderful people, especially my patients.”

Ernie was justifiably proud of what he had achieved in his clinical practice and in the mentoring of trainees and colleagues. However, his biggest source of sustenance was his family. Ernie is survived by his wife of 55 years, Florence, his four children, 14 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. As Florence so eloquently stated (3), “My husband's passion challenged our children to make a difference in the lives of others; to do the right thing, to respect people's choices, to be accountable, and most of all to be compassionate.” These are attributes Ernie taught not only his family but all of his students, friends, and colleagues. He leaves a wonderful and lasting legacy for all who knew him to remember with warmth, pride, and the sense that this man made and continues to make a positive difference in the lives of the people that he touched.