Peter Sheehan, MD, 1954-2014

   Peter Sheehan, MD, an internationally known specialist in diabetes, died unexpectedly May 16. The wound care community mourns his loss, and the WOUNDS staff extends our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. At the time of his death, Sheehan was President of the NYC Community Leadership Board of the American Diabetes Association and served as a consultant and on the advisory boards of numerous biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies. His greatest impact, however, seems to have been in his interactions with patients and colleagues. We asked a few of his peers to share their thoughts about what they will miss most about him.  

   Since hearing of Peter’s passing, so many memories have flooded to the front of my mind. The thing is, I’m certain that I am not alone in this. This flood of good memories and works from this great and good man reminds us that we’re all in the same boat—together. Because of him, our collective journey and that of our patients is a little easier and the destination brighter. Rest in peace, my friend.
   David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD
   Professor of Surgery and Director
   Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance
   University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ

   The day he started at the Hospital for Joint Diseases (in New York), we were talking in the lobby at around 4:30 p.m. A man ran in yelling, “There’s someone having a heart attack in the park!” Dr. Sheehan immediately ran out of the hospital and across 17th Street into the park. I followed him out of the building, gathering a few security guards along the way. There was a homeless man on a bench having a seizure. Dr. Sheehan took charge, made sure the man didn’t hurt himself until he stopped seizing, and directed a guard to call 911. While we waited for the ambulance, the man regained consciousness. Dr. Sheehan sat down next to him and explained what had happened to him and what he needed to tell the doctors in the emergency room, and talked to him quietly until the ambulance arrived. He had a way of making every person he spoke to feel important and respected.
   Michael T. Troncone
   Vice President, Human Resources
   Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY  

   Peter and I would often go to Yankee games together. I had season tickets and we liked going on warm summer weeknights after work. Although Peter was not a Yankee fan, he would come with me to talk and enjoy a Sabrett hot dog with onions and a couple of beers. Once as we were entering Gate #2 in the old stadium and walking to our seats, we heard a loud, deep, shouting voice: “Dr. Sheehan, Dr. Sheehan!” As we both turned, we were approached by an older man with a notable limp in a stadium usher’s uniform. He said to Peter, “Dr. Sheehan, don’t you remember me?” Peter couldn’t recall right away as the usher helped him recollect. “I am the homeless guy who was begging on the sidewalk on 8th Avenue with the wound on my foot. You stopped to give me $10 and your business card. You said, ‘Here’s cab fare, come see me and I will take care of your wound.’” A few days later, the man had shown up at Peter’s clinic at the Diabetes Foot and Ankle Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases of NYU. Peter and his staff medically addressed his needs (the man had Charcot arthropathy with a mid-foot ulcer) and eventually treated his DFU with a total contact cast. He healed in 6 short weeks. Later, Peter arranged for him to be fitted with a Crow walker and helped him reconnect with his family. The usher looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, “This man you’re with is a very special man … he not only healed my wound, he saved my foot and my life. I will never forget his kindness and compassion.” Peter gave him a hug and told him, “It was my honor to care for you.”
   Oscar M. Alvarez, PhD, CCT, FAPWCA
   Director, Center for Curative and Palliative Wound Care
   Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY

   I and the entire wound community are heartbroken about the tragic loss of Peter Sheehan. At his best, Peter was a rare combination of promoting evidence-based practice and supporting innovative and progressive ideas that had the potential to impact the field. More importantly, Peter was a dear friend with whom many of us shared laughs, thoughtful conversations, and deeply personal moments. I and his closest friends will miss him.
   Robert S. Kirsner, MD, PhD
   Professor, Vice Chairman & Stiefel Laboratories Chair
   Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery
   Chief of Dermatology University of Miami Hospital
   University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL