Dr. David Sugarbaker and the IMP

Mrs. Heather Reid and Dr. Sugarbaker at the IMP Remembrance Event 2012

Kenneth developed symptoms of a problem with his lungs in March of 2008 while living in CA and studying for his Professional Engineering Certification. After some lengthy testing it was suspected that he had Mesothelioma. We immediately suggested coming back to Boston for a second opinion from Dr David Sugarbaker a thoracic surgeon in Brigham and Women’s who was a world renowned expert in Mesothelioma treatment. During all of this testing Kenneth sat and passed his exam then headed home. By a little miracle we got an appointment with Dr Sugarbaker. We met with him and Kenneth was scheduled to have biopsies taken. Unfortunately Kenneth was not a good candidate for Dr Sugarbaker’s treatment because of the progression of the disease. Kenneth died 9 months later March 1st 2009. I will always remember what a kind, gentle and positive thinking man Dr Sugarbaker was and we continued contact through the Daffodil Teas and the yearly remembrance service held by IMP in Brigham Women’s. Dr Sugarbaker moved to Texas in 2014 – the same year as our last Daffodil Tea. He brought his skills and talents to the Baylor College of Medicine community. He founded the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, was the first Chief of the new Division of General Thoracic Surgery in the Michael DeBakey Department of Surgery, and established the Mesothelioma Treatment Center. Dr Sugarbaker died in Aug 2018 – four years later – of liver cancer at the age of 65. Sometimes life is hard to understand but I often think of what he said to us ”Hold on to your Faith, Family and Friends and be positive.” Dr Sugarbaker and Kenneth did just that.
Please read the links to know more about Dr Sugarbaker.

https://www.alfreddthomas.com/obituary/David-SugarbakerMD

https://www.asbestos.com/featured-stories/david-sugarbaker-memorial/