ISBI Announces the passing of Richard L. Gamelli, MD

ISBI President 2012 - 2014

05 May 2022

Dear ISBI Members,

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of past ISBI President, Richard Gamelli, MD (ISBI President 2012-2014). Dr. Gamelli was born in Massachusetts and went to St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. He stayed in Vermont for medical training and stayed on the faculty at the University of Vermont as a general surgeon. He rapidly rose to become vice chair of the department. He began focusing on burns, nutrition, and the immune response to injury in Vermont. He then moved to Loyola University outside of Chicago where he became director of the burn center and developed one of the top research institutes in the country. At Loyola, he became Chair of the Department of Surgery, Dean of the Medical School, and eventually, President of the Medical School.

He was a tremendous mentor to many young surgeons and was influential in starting burn surgery careers. Personally, he was my mentor. He started my research career, and I followed his path as a burn surgeon. He was a great friend, superb surgeon, and leader.

Dr. Gamelli served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Burn Care and Research, and on several editorial boards including Shock, Annals of Surgery, BURNS, and Journal of the American College of Surgeons. He authored and co-authored more than 10 books, 50 book chapters, more than 365 publications in peer review journals, and more than 255 abstracts. Dr. Gamelli was elected 37th President of the American Burn Association (ABA) in 2005 and received the ABA’s President Award in 2013.

The ISBI family sends our sincere condolences to Dr. Gamelli’s family. Rest in Peace Professor Gamelli. You will be greatly missed!

David G. Greenhalgh, MD
President of the ISBI