In Loving Memory of Dr. James Sapala
July 5, 2018It is with very heavy hearts that the ObesityHelp team shares with our members that our longtime friend, Dr. James Sapala, passed away from brain cancer on April 12, 2017, at the age of 72.
Dr. Sapala, affectionately known as “Dr. Jim” by his patients, was a kind and compassionate man who was dedicated to helping his patients overcome the disease of obesity.
Dr. Sapala was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, partner and friend to so many others whom had the gift to have come to know him in his lifetime. He was greatly loved and admired by thousands of his patients whose lives he helped to change and save. He always had a smile and warm hug to offer and he will be forever fondly remembered.
Remembering Bariatric Pioneer & Patient Advocate, Dr. Sapala
October 11, 1944-April 12, 2017
“I want to tell you about a man who absolutely changed not only my life, but the way I live it. Dr. James Sapala is above and beyond a surgeon. He is a friend, life coach, unwavering cheerleader and the most overall health concerned doctor I have ever met.”-calmastro
Read more of Dr. Sapala’s patient testimonials here.
Dr. Sapala practiced medicine with his father, Dr. M. Andrew Sapala, for many years. Both doctors are nationally recognized as pioneers in the field of bariatric surgery. Dr. Sapala and his father, along with Dr. Michael Wood, collaborated to develop the Sapala-Wood Micropouch® Gastric Bypass and it is the only patented bariatric surgery in the United States.
Dr. Sapala and his father were founding members of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, now known as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
Dr. Jim was the Chief of Bariatric Surgery for St. John Riverview Hospital in Detroit before accepting the head of bariatric surgery positions at hospitals in the New York City area. Most recently, he was the Chief of the Division of Bariatric Surgery at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center since 2009. Dr. Sapala was an award-winning author having authored over 30 original publications and was very dedicated to research and patient advocacy. He was truly passionate about his work and about the well-being of his patients.
The ObesityHelp Team Shares Memories of Dr. Sapala
As one of the very first surgeons to join and support the ObesityHelp community, Dr. Sapala became a friend and advisor to the OH team and shared his insights and expertise often with our community. It was always such a pleasure to see him at national conferences. His personality was magnetic and unforgettable. He and my mother Jeannie "JC" Colter, ObesityHelp co-founder and a bariatric nurse (whom passed away in 2008) became fast friends because of their dedication to excellence in patient care and shared passion for changing and saving lives.
We have irreplaceable memories of Dr. Sapala and the founder of ObesityHelp, Eric Klein, finding a piano at the conference venues and playing duets together. They always drew a crowd with their amazing piano playing skills and it wasn’t a matter of if they were going to play piano together, it was a matter of where and when they would find a way!
When the ObesityHelp National Conference team hosted a conference in Long Island, NY, Dr. Sapala sat on the Professional Panel and answered attendees' questions and shared his knowledge and humor in what would have normally been his “free” time. That’s how much he cared about people who were fighting obesity and the OH community.
Kim Gyurina, ObesityHelp Event Manager, remembers Dr. Sapala with sincere affection: “During the busy time of an event, he had an even keel and humble personality and was pleasant to work with.” For this author, it was one of the best highlights of conferences to see Dr. Sapala. He was always so happy. He somehow seemed to remember the name of each and every soul he encountered and greeted you like an old friend and he listened with a loving heart. He was an instant friend and a hard act to follow.
Dr. Sapala, A Lifetime That Made A Difference
In his lifetime, Dr. Sapala truly made a difference. A man of many talents, he touched so many hearts and souls with his true commitment to excellence in patient care, his dedication to advancing his profession, his love of family and friends and in his zest for life. No matter where you were in your walk with life, you mattered to Dr. Sapala. He just made you feel that way.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends, his patients and colleagues. Dr. Sapala will live on in our hearts and in the memories he created throughout his well-lived life. Reflecting on a verse from a song by Nat King Cole:
Dr. James Sapala, you are “Unforgettable In Every Way And Forever More That's How You'll Stay.”
To view Dr. Sapala’s obituary please click here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tammy J. Colter is an OH staff writer and has proudly served the ObesityHelp community since 1999, helping members and professionals alike. Tammy wears many hats at ObesityHelp, she works as an author, editor, and account manager. Read more articles by Tammy! |
