The field of cardiothoracic surgery and the broader medical community have lost an incredible leader, colleague and mentor with the sudden passing of Sean C. Grondin, MD, MPH. He was 56 years old.

Grondin was an accomplished thoracic surgeon at Alberta Health Services and Professor of Surgery at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. He most recently served as a Regent for the American College of Surgeons and was the Immediate Past President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).

"Dr. Grondin was a skilled and thoughtful physician who lived an amazing life as a thoracic surgeon, teacher, mentor, leader, husband, father, son and athlete," said current STS President John H. Calhoon, MD. "Sean was a brilliant, passionate and kind person. He had this incredible gift to find the right 'fit' for everything he did. It is that beautiful talent that endeared him to all."

Grondin trained and practiced in both the U.S. and Canada, including at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he attended medical school and completed his general surgery residency. He completed his thoracic surgery residency at the University of Toronto, and finished a thoracic oncology fellowship at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and a minimally invasive thoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his master's degree at the Harvard School of Public Health. He began his clinical practice at Northwestern University in Chicago before moving to Calgary.

Grondin authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts and was the recipient of many awards, including the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada "Mentor of the Year" award, and the James IV Association of Surgeons Canadian Traveling Fellowship award. In addition to his clinical work, numerous colleagues reflected on his strong support for educational leadership programs for faculty members and trainees, as well as his research focused on surgical workforce planning and clinician wellness.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Grondin and our deepest condolences go out to his wife, daughter, son, and the broader Grondin family," said ACC President Edward T.A. Fry, MD, FACC. "While he was taken from us too soon, his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his family, research, the patients he helped, and the many colleagues and trainees who had the privilege to work with and learn from him."

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Cardiac Surgery, Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention, Cardiac Surgery and Arrhythmias, Interventions and Imaging, Angiography, Nuclear Imaging

Keywords: Thoracic Surgery, Surgeons, Angiography, Cardiac Surgical Procedures, ACC International, In Memoriam

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