You are here
COVID-19: In Memoriam
ACP honors internal medicine physicians and ACP colleagues who served our profession and the health of their patients and lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We extend our gratitude to them, and our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.
To submit the name and related information of an ACP member who has lost their life due to the pandemic, please fill out our form.
Updated January 27, 2021
Dr. John C. Coman
New York Presbyterian Queens Medical Group; Bayside Primary Care, Bayside, NY
We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Dr. John Coman. John battled for several weeks before succumbing to COVID 19. This wimpy virus that can be easily killed by soap and water, but causes death and destruction to the human body.
Dr. Stephan L. Kamholz
Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Kamholz served on ACP's Board of Regents from 2006-12 and as NY Downstate Region II Governor from 1996-2000. Dr. Kamholz also served on numerous committees at ACP and as Chair, Council of Subspecialty Societies from 2006-12. Some of the committees Dr. Kamholz served on included Awards Committee, IM Scientific Program Committee, Health and Public Policy Committee, Medical Practice and Quality Committee and Strategic Planning Committee.
ObituaryDr. Jesus A. Marin Ruiz
Nicaragua
Excellent specialist in General Internal Medicine and pioneer in Clinical Toxicology, specialty that he founded in the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua (UNAN). He was past president of the Nicaraguan Association of Internal Medicine (ANMI), and several times was coordinator of the Scientific Committe. He was also coordinator of the Scientific Magazine of the Central America Internal Medicine Association (AMICAC). Dr. Marin was always promoting Internal Medicine in Nicaragua, for which he received the gold medal of ANMI, and this year's ANMI congress was named after him, before he was attacked by COVID-19.
Obituary
Dr. Roberto Ruiz, FACP
Southwest Internal Medicine Group, Phoenix, Arizona
On December 26, 2020, Dr. Roberto Ruiz tragically lost his life after battling COVID-19 for 16 days in the ICU. He was a true frontline hero who found his gift of healing and continued to share this gift with others every single day. His passion led to the opening of the Arizona Diabetes Foundation, which provided education for other physicians nationwide. To be a physician was his calling in life, a profession that he truly loved and gave his whole heart and attention towards.
Obituary
Dr. Rebecca Shadowen
Medical Center at Bowling Green, Kentucky
Dr. Rebecca Shadowen, MD, FACP, graduated in 1984 from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She was a specialist in infectious diseases and healthcare epidemiology in Bowling Green, Kentucky. As a frontline doctor, she helped establish a coronavirus unit for the Medical Center at Bowling Green, where she was on staff. She was also instrumental in assisting her local government deal with the disease when she was diagnosed with it in May. She died on Sept. 11 at the age of 62.
Obituary
Dr. Virgil Carballo Zárate
Colombia
Recognized as one of the best internists in Colombia and Latin America, Dr. Carballo succumbed to symptoms of COVID-19 on September 7. Past-President of the Colombian Association of Internal Medicine (ACMI), Dr. Carballo worked in the Madre Bernarda Clinic and the Cartagena Naval Hospital, and taught at the University of Cartagena’s School of Medicine. Known as a great advocate for health professionals and their patients, Dr. Carballo spoke to media outlets regarding the lack of PPE essentials in Colombian hospitals, and had made pleas to the Ministry of Health and President Iván Duque just weeks before his death. Dr. Carballo will be remembered by his students, colleagues, family, and friends as not only a brilliant internist, tireless advocate, and inspiring educator, but also as a caring human being with a huge heart whose legacy will not be forgotten.
Obituary