RIP Spence!
In Remembrance: Today as I toiled for 9 hrs sharing my surgical innovations in a video for the ASCRS Film Festival at our National Conference in Boston, my eyes were moist.
That one person who challenged me for it is no more.
I still remember last October evening when I received a phone call about his sad demise. The movie star of Ophthalmology; Late Dr.Spencer Thornton had passed away. RIP Spence!
Nearly two decades ago, he traveled to witness my work on Corneoplastique and called it a ‘Beacon’ in the world of eye surgery. I still remember the twinkle in his eyes as he said and wrote that down.
He challenged me to enter my surgical work for the #ASCRS Film Competition and I did (just because being on stage with him would be amazing). I won the First Prize and the highlight was that he was the one who handed me the Award Trophy.
That day, my dream was fulfilled to such an extent that I never participated seriously after that. There was nothing more to compete for !
That photo adorns my office till date.
We would meet while teaching at world conferences and then in South Africa on safari.
He would fondly admire my fashion sense and even just a month before his demise, we met in the hallway at the National Conference in San Diego, when he stopped me and asked his grandson (Andrew) to take our picture together.
Little did I know that was the last time I would see him.
An amazing human being with radiance bar none, I promise to finally listen to his advice to simplify my teachings (as if he sensed my impatience for colleagues to catch up).
RIP Spence !