In Memoriam: Dr. Mark Savarise, ACS Regent

ACS Regent Mark T. Savarise, MD, MBA, FACS, passed away July 2 at the age of 58.

Described as a beacon of dedication and compassion in the medical community, Dr. Savarise was a highly skilled general surgeon who recently retired from clinical service at the University of Utah (U of U) in Salt Lake City.

“Mark was the surgeon we all aspire to be. Integrity, honesty, excellence, professionalism, technical expertise—Mark had it all,” said Thomas K. Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, who worked with Dr. Savarise at U of U. “His patients adored him. We—his colleagues—cherished our time with him. He performed every activity he was involved with at the highest level. He was one of the kindest souls in the House of Surgery and was tireless in his work for his trainees and patients.”

An ACS Fellow for 25 years and a Regent since 2021, Dr. Savarise generously served in many leadership positions with the College, including as Chair of the Young Fellows Association; as a member of the Health Policy Advisory Council, Advisory Council for General Surgery, Advisory Council for Rural Surgery, and Bylaws Committee; and on the Board of Regents. He also was a member of the ACS Foundation Board of Directors, playing an important role in growing the organization’s philanthropic support.

According to friend and colleague Raminder Nirula, MD, MPH, FACS, Dr. Savarise exemplified the qualities of what it means to be a FACS.

“He did this through fostering not only his own professional growth and development but that of numerous trainees to whom he gave his time so willingly,” said Dr. Nirula. “To the countless surgeons whose practices he affected through his work at the College, we remain indebted. To the lives of patients and families he touched, they remain a testament to his ability to establish and maintain patients’ confidence in his ability and integrity as their surgeon. To me, Mark always unselfishly shared his passion, wisdom, and experience that helped me in so many ways.”

When Dr. Savarise first became a Regent, he shared his surprise: “I’m just an ordinary general surgeon out there in practice who gets up in the morning and goes to the clinic or the operating room. I’ve been engaged with the College since being a young surgeon, and the College means everything to me in organized medicine. I have found my place here. I am very proud of the work the College does. I’ve been involved with member services, advocacy, and research and optimal patient care, so I just want to be here to help push things along, grow the House of Surgery, fight for us in advocacy, and promote our programs.”

In fact, Dr. Varghese said one of their favorite activities each year was attending the ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, and then visiting Capitol Hill to raise awareness on critical legislative issues.

Dr. Savarise earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado in Denver and completed a general surgery residency at U of U. He then served 4 years as a US Airforce Medical Corp staff surgeon. Later, Dr. Savarise thrived as a private practice surgeon in Sandpoint, Idaho, before being recruited back to the U of U as a clinical associate professor, medical director of outreach and network development, and section chief of community general surgery. He also was an attending general surgeon at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

ACS First Vice-President Tyler G. Hughes, MD, FACS, reflected on Dr. Savarise and how being a remarkable surgeon involves much more than knowledge or technical skill.

“Mark was a great surgeon who had the knowledge and skills required, but also could communicate and inspire,” said Dr. Hughes. “To me, he represented the sort of person the American College of Surgeons has at its core. Our organization is less with him gone. I hope you take a moment and consider this man for the fine work he did for patients and surgeons in his all too short life. We could each learn from his example.”

Dr. Savarise is survived by his wife Yvonne.