I’ve wanted to write about Sara for a few days now but haven’t known exactly what to say and really I still don’t.
This past weekend my loving friend Sara passed away. She went to sleep Saturday and never woke-up. It was sudden and completely unexpected.
It is with profound sorrow that I inform you of the death of Sara Medwid, MD on 11/26/05. Sara, a 2004 graduate of the OSUCOM&PH, was a PGY-2 resident in the combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency. The coroner today identified the cause of death as cerebral herniation due to a large astrocytoma. Sara had complained of feeling ill on the night before she died; she went to sleep and was found the next morning by her husband of three weeks, Rob Gorsline, MD. Dr. Gorsline is a resident in the OSU Orthopedics program.
The Internal Medicine Residency Program and our colleagues in Pediatrics are all devastated by this tragedy. Sara was beloved by her friends for her gentle nature, ready smile and selflessness. Her colleagues will remember her as a model of the patient centered physician, one for whom compassion and empathy came naturally. She could be counted on to do whatever was necessary to ensure that her patients received the best of care and that her colleagues had the support they needed.
Sara was the doctor I wanted to be. Only 3 years older than me she had just finished her first year of residency. I meet Sara the free clinic, La Clinica Latina. She volunteered more than any student I’ve ever met. She learned Spanish at the clinic in order to better help her patients. She traveled to the Dominican Republic and Mexico to do medical work. She was the one who gave me the best life plan ever…I stole her idea…she told me that she wanted to move to Mexico and charge cruise ship tourists American prices to see her as a doctor and then the rest of her time spend it working for free in impoverished parts of Mexico. Sara introduced me to baseball, and baseball players. She taught me to never fear a patient or their illness. Sara loved people like no doctor I ever met.
I am so sorry for your loss, Elenamary.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lo siento…
por ti, su familia, sus amigos, y la sociedad.
You can still follow in her steps : )
Un fuerte y caluroso abrazo.
Cuidate!
Well, it sounds like you will do a wonderful job of serving people just as she would have done. That seems like the best way to keep her memory and essence alive. There is not much I can offer, not much I can say, but if you need ANYTHING, I’m here. Well, not here in the physical sense, since I am out of the country, but nontheless…I’m here. Hope you are able to come to Mexico soon. You, Sara, and both of your families are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss
My condolences to you and her family go out to you with my sincerest hope of peace and love.
She sounds as amazing as Che Guevara, poor sarah, i hate to ask but what caused this? Did she have a heart condition?
oh gosh.
i’m so sad.
zulma
i’m so sorry about your friend. but it does sound that you’ll continue the kind of work that was doing/would have wanted you to do.
I’m sorry. This makes me want to cry because it sucks that the people who do such good work and positively impact many lives around them die way to young.
She sounds like not only a person to remember, but a person to honor as well. Msy she live strong in you.
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. She sounds like an amazing human being.
I can’t even imagine how her husband must feel, losing his wife after only 3 weeks of marrige. my heart goes out to him, as well as you, and all the lives she must have touched.
Her wonderful idea can live on in you though, so keep her in your heart as you follow the dream you shared with her.
I’m so sorry for your loss, EM. She accomplished so much in her short time here. I’m sure she’ll be watching over all of you.
Truly sad, my deepest condolences. Your post was a beautiful tribute to her.
I’m really sorry. There’s nothing that hurts more. A big hug.
I am Sara’s aunt “Aunt Sara”. Thank you for your thoughts it helps us remember what an amazing person she was. Her mom says she never wants people to stop talking about her as that is how she will live on. Keep talking and writing and sharing! Those who knew her will surely miss her.
I knew Sara from high school. I am very sorry for your loss though I am glad she continued to be such a fantastic person. The selflessness and continuous smile is just what I remember about her. She will be greatly missed.
You’re very sweet to memorialize her. She’s lucky to have had such wonderful friends.
Sara influenced you in life, and now in death. Keep this close to you…forever a reminder of how fleeting life can be.
The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. (WW)
Make yours count.
Keep your chin up(: The world will turn.
Hope to see you at Clinica again soon.
I’m an intern at OSU and though I’ve only worked with Sara for a few weeks(she was on night float and covered my service), I thought she genuinely cared not only about the patients she admitted overnight but about my development as a housestaff. She always took the time to explain in detail what her concern for certain patients and address any questions I may have, even when it was obvious that the night was busy and she was tired. I feel a great sense of loss even through our very brief interactions. I can’t even begin to imagine the grief you, her husband, and other friends and family of Sara must feel. I’m very sorry for your loss, and I will keep all of you in my prayers.
sorry to hear that elenita. cuidate mucho. it seems that Sara left her mark in a lot of people, including you. she must have been a great person.
Such a thing is more than tragic. I’m sorry for your loss as well as that of her family. It must especially be hard on her husband having been married for such a short time.
*big hug*
Sara was a great person, I went to High School with her. I’m glad that she obtained so many of her goals. She was an amazing person 10 years ago and it seeems she stayed that way. I wish you and her family the best
Sara was a good friend of mine throughout medical school. I am truly in shock over Sara’s passing. She was one of the most vibrant people I have ever met. I hope that we can live as richly and fully as Sara did. You are loved by all who knew you.
I was one of Sara’s roommates in college (her nickname was “Med”). We were very good friends and although we lost touch, I often thought of her fondly. I still remember reading over and editing her Ohio State medical school application! We shared so many memories at Miami and I’ll always remember her fondly. Med was so caring, thoughtful, and open-minded. When I read her obituary I wasn’t surprised at all to see how much she had accomplished over the years. I knew she’d be successful because she was so selfless. Med was amazingly talented and she has definitely left her mark – not only in the medical field, but also with her friends and family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like one of a kind.
Sara was our only daughter. She was everything wonderful that everyone thought she was. She truly cared about people and making the world a better place. I can only hope to live the rest of my life to make her proud of us. She would want all of us to care about each other, learn about the world and each other and, especially, have fun. Thank you for these touching comments.
Hi there, I’m Ellen, a close friend of Sara’s. I know how thankful she is for all of these thoughts and condolences. You seemed to have grasped Sara’s spirit in the short time you spent with her…she lived life to the fullest, everyday and she loved the work she did in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Knowing a little bit of Spanish, I used to try and talk to her – although, we both did better after having a few drinks – she could always kick my butt when it came to knowing the language. As I went through some of her belongings looking for pictures and such, I noticed that much of the special things she had packed away were items she had acquired during her visits to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. She had an unbelievable connection to the culture and she was so proud of all that she had accomplished and her experiences while she was there. I know that she would want all of us to continue to live life as she would’ve – with such interest and curiosity and genuine love…and above all, laugh and have a great sense of humor! Thank you for honoring my friend – she will be with all of us forever.
Reading all these messages helps to continually drive home the face that my sister truly touched many people’s lives. Besides being the best sister any brother could ask for, that is probably what I will remember the most about her. She could always light up a room and talk to anyone.
Next week (Sept. 11) will be Sara’s birthday – the first birthday without her. She will be so missed and is so loved each day. We truly miss her.