We are sad to announce that Dr. John Doyle, Professor Emeritus, passed away on May 4, 2019. Dr. Doyle was a member of the Division of Plastic Surgery, providing dental services to patients at University Hospital. Dr. Doyle was in private practice for 20 years before Dr. Folkert O. Belzer (Chair 1974-1995) recruited him to the Department of Surgery. Dr. Doyle joined the department with a clinical appointment in 1982 and became a full-time faculty member in 1986. Dr. Doyle had served as Captain in the US Air Force from 1962-1964.
In addition to the highly skilled services he provided, including the management of facial fractures, TMJ dysfunction and congenital anomalies, Dr. Doyle became a friend to virtually every department and health system colleague fortunate to know him. Because he covered dental call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for decades, he knew everyone. He was heavily invested in global health, securing millions of dollars of foundation funding to establish mobile medical and dental care units in Kazakhstan. This lead to his being named “Kazakhstan Man of the Year” for his efforts. Dr. Doyle was also key to the education of plastic surgery residents and rotating medical students, and was well being regarded as an “organizational connector.” At work and home, he was generous, thoughtful, and would do anything for anyone with out hesitation.
We are grateful to have partnered with Dr. Doyle for so many years.