It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Amir Shariff, MBBS, FACS, who died suddenly yesterday at his home in Karachi, Pakistan. He was raised and educated in Karachi, graduated from Aga Khan University in 2003, began surgical training in the UK, and promptly moved to the US. He joined the Yale program in 2005 as a preliminary resident and quickly shone as a clinical star.

The Program Director, Dr. Walter Longo, invited him to stay on in a categorical position, and Amir completed his residency at Yale, serving as Chief Resident in 2010. He was a beloved classmate and compatriot of the residents in that era. Amir and his wife, Ayesha, had the first of their two children here in New Haven. Following residency he continued at Yale as a fellow in MIS/Bariatrics under Drs. Robert Bell, Andrew Duffy, and Kurt Roberts.

Dr. Shariff then returned to his beloved homeland of Pakistan, where he launched a stellar career as a clinician and surgical educator. He was the program director of the surgical residency at AKU which, under his stewardship, was transformed and achieved accreditation by the ACGMEi. Dr. Shariff was renowned not only for his surgical prowess but also for his talents as a teacher and mentor. His proteges around the world, including here at Yale, are a testimony to his selfless and supportive approach to surgical learners.

Those who knew Dr. Shariff remember his kind, calm demeanor, his voracious habit of reading, perpetual willingness to help, skill in the kitchen, and his deep devotion to his family. He is mourned by the entire Yale Surgery family across the country and around the world. Please keep his family in your hearts.

Peter S. Yoo, MD
New Haven, CT