Medical ProfessionalsEducationInternational DermatologistsInternational Traveling Mentorship ProgramField Legacy

Remembering
Lawrence M. Field, MD

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Founder

  • ASDS International Traveling Mentorship Program,  2010
  • AAD Association of Surgical Faculty, 1984

Recipient

  • DASIL “Father of International Dermatologic Surgery” Award, 2012
  • ASDS Outstanding Contributions Award, 2015
  • ILDS International Leadership Award,  2017
  • ASDS President's Award, 2020

Honoree

  • Honorary Member Award for lifetime dedication & meritorious service to the specialty, AAD, 2015
  • Father of Dermatologic Plastic Surgery, JAAD Editorial, 1984
  • Named Lectureships:  Hellenic Dermatologic Surgery Society, South African Society of Dermatologic Surgery, DASIL, ASDS

Academic Appointments

  • Professor, University of Texas San Antonio Health Center, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, 2016
  • Emeritus, University of California, San Francisco (Dermatologic Surgery)
  • Emeritus, University of Stanford (1976-2006)
  • Emeritus, University of Missouri (1958-59)

Traveling Chair of Dermatologic Surgery, 1986-2011

 

“Work diligently for RESPECT – both of self, and from your peers.  Both are hard-earned, and worth every possible effort to achieve and always remember it is a PRIVILEGE to practice medicine, as well as a science and an art.”

An excerpt from the 2016 "(Great) Great-Grandfatherly Advice for Young(er) Dermatologic Surgeons" presentation
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2016 Interview of Dr. Field by Gary Brauner, MD

In His Words: Dr. Field's Impact on the Dermatologic Surgery Specialty

Beginnings of Dermatologic Surgery

Major Clinical Accomplishments

Dermasanding

Dermatologic Liposuction Surgery

Remembering Dr. Mohs

Honoring Dr. Field's Legacy by Building a Community of International Dermatologic Surgeons Through Mentorship and Training

Established through the Lawrence Field, MD, International Dermatologic Surgery Education Exchange Fund, all international programs supported by ASDS enhance the exchange of information and body of knowledge of dermatologic surgery between the U.S. and the international community of dermatologic surgeons.

Annual Honorary Lecture at ASDS Annual Meeting
The Lawrence M. Field, MD, Annual Lectureship is named in recognition of Dr. Field's lifelong contributions to international dermatologic surgical education and is presented at the ASDS Annual Meeting each year. Past selected lecture speakers are exemplary individuals who have shown the commitment to dermatologic surgery education and excellence mirroring the accomplishments of Dr. Field:

  • 2022 – Pieter du Plessis, MD, from South Africa
  • 2019 – Kee Yang Chung, MD, PhD, from South Korea
  • 2018 – Drs. Alastair and Jean Carruthers from Canada
  • 2017 – Doris Hexsel, MD, from Brazil
  • 2016 – Mysore Venkataram, MD, from India
  • 2015 – Marc Roscher, MD, from South Africa
  • 2014 – Mihaela Leventer, MD from Romania
  • 2013 – Rhoda Narins, MD, from the United States

International Preceptorship Scholarships

ITMP Outstanding Contributions Award
This award is presented annually to outstanding ITMP Mentors as a token of recognition of significant contributions to the ITMP and their leadership, teaching, enthusiasm and commitment to the international educational exchange in dermatologic surgery.

2020 Outstanding Contributions Award
  • Harold Brody, MD
  • Baruch Kaplan, MD
  • Gary Monheit, MD
  • Girish Munavalli, MD
  • Nanda Dewi, MD
  • Salim Thurakkal, MD
  • Matteo Clementoni, MD
  • Somesh Gupta, MD
  • Edwin Djuanda, MD
  • Mysore Venkataram, MD
  • Moerbono Mochtar, MD

ASDS Member Memories

Amina Alamiri, MD

Pictured: Drs. Field and Alamiri at DASIL Dubai in October 2016.

"My dearest Professor, I will never forget the first time we met in Vienna, where you addressed me as Binti (my daughter). From there your teaching started without stopping, from teaching me about dermatologic surgery, ethics, to working with passion, love, and life. You were always there to answer any questions that I had. You wanted me to shine, and it was your good deeds to many like me that allowed us shine indeed. You were the light behind us. My dearest father, you will live forever as a great legend. May You Rest In Peace."

Joel L. Cohen, MD

Pictured: Lawrence Field, MD, and Joel L. Cohen, MD, at the 2019 ASDS Annual Meeting in Chicago for International Traveling Mentorship Award.

"Larry was an incredible mentor and innovator in the world of dermatologic surgery. He had tireless energy, and stamina to travel and  teach across the globe. Until the end of his life, he read derm surgery articles in every journal and sent emails to so many of us about our work – what we got right and what we may have failed to cover. His dedication to this field, his energy and his insatiable passion will truly be missed."

Terrence A. Cronin, Jr., MD

Pictured: Lawrence Field, MD, with Terrence A. Cronin, Jr., MD, at the 2019 ASDS Annual Meeting.

"I will certainly miss Larry for his great sense of humor and his dedication to our specialty. He was such an incredible innovator and he always remained so kind and warm-hearted!"

Paula Karam, MD

Pictured from left to right: Gary Brauner, MD, Paula Karam, MD, and Lawrence Field, MD, at the ASDS Annual Meeting.

"I met Dr. Field more than 20 years ago. He was passionate about derm surgery and how to teach it and spread it. Always nice. Ready to help. Never missing an occasion to collaborate with new comers and help them. One of the fathers of derm surgery. He introduced the international mentorship of derm surgery of which I am proud to be one of them. I will always remember him."

Mihaela Leventer, MD

Pictured: Drs. Field and Leventer at the ASDS Annual Meeting prior to her 2014 presentation for the Lawrence M. Field, MD, Annual Lectureship.

"Prof. Lawrence Field, the one to guide my first steps in dermatosurgery, was more than a mentor to me, he was a friend who also contributed to the development of dermato-surgery services in Romania, as he did in many other countries around the world. He traveled and taught relentlessly in Asia, Europe, South America, the Middle East. He founded an international dermato-surgery school, under the American Academy of Dermatology. He was a model for many students, who thanks to him decided to pursue dermatology. Professor Field dedicated his life to his profession and planted in our minds not only professional knowledge, but also ethics lessons. A great doctor has left us, we will miss his passion and his will to help us, his disciples, but also his patients."

Richard Motley, MD

Pictured from left to right: Peter Holt, Lawrence Field, MD, and Richard Motley, MD, at Cardiff in 1993.

"The confidence that Larry instilled cannot not be overstated and even 27 years later, not a day passes in the dermatologic surgery unit that we do not do something that can be traced directly back to Larry's teaching. Larry spent three decades teaching dermatologic surgery around the world. In my opinion, it is beyond question that he was the greatest teacher of dermatologic surgery that those of us living outside America have been privileged to meet."

Robert A. Weiss, MD

Pictured from left to right: Margaret Weiss, MD, Lawrence Field, MD, and Robert Weiss, MD, during the International Mentorship Session at the 2018 ASDS Annual Meeting.

"Lawrence Field was a great teacher and mentor who was known around the world for promoting and teaching bold new techniques in dermatologic surgery. The respect and admiration that he earned from international colleagues was amazing. His contributions both in personal time and financial support for ASDS was admirable, for which his name will be remembered for all time."

Stephen Mandy, MD
"In 1985, Drs. Larry Field and Stephen Mandy started a society called the Association of Surgical Faculty. It admitted those who had taught DermSurgery at AAD for at least five years. The format was an annual luncheon meeting at AAD where each person spoke for two minutes about their most interesting case, discovery or disaster, followed by two minutes of discussion. Nothing was to go beyond the meeting. It still exists today with an annual attendance between 30 to 50 participants and all agree it is one of the most valuable, not to miss sessions every year."

Dimitra Ntasiou, MD
"Dr. Lawrence Field was the "Father" of the Hellenic Society for Dermatologic Surgery. I was honored to be the inaugural President of the Society (established on 1990) after his valuable guidance. He was always inspiring and encouraging Greek dermatologists during his numerous visits in our country, by his teaching hands-on all kinds of surgery concerning our specialty. His lessons taught us innovative surgical techniques and at the same time caring for the benefit of the patient. His legacy will live forever in our mind and hearts. Rest in peace our great teacher."

Daniel M. Siegel, MD, MS
"Larry was a kind and generous human being and dining with him I was always assured of a delightful conversation. I recall an ISDS in Edinburgh years ago when Larry found that the registrars who were doing all the scut work were not invited to the banquet. He personally paid for all. His generosity with sharing his knowledge was legend. Larry, I mourn your passage and cheer your service to us all."

Mark M. Tanner, MD
"Prof. Lawrence M. Field, MD, an unbelievably great, energetic, passionate and consequent teacher of dermatologic surgery, has left DS community, friends and family. We all felt very, very sad seeing him at this stage and in these circumstances during the last days. There's not a single day in Noerdlingen/Bavaria without performing a flap a procedure or a gesture we're owing to Lawrence Field. He was one of our most commendable, generous and outstanding physicians and teachers. I have been an active member of the International Dermatosurgery Community in the years since 2005 and am looking back on an extraordinary period of common learning and exchange, always achieved at brilliant international locations, organized with much effort and commitment. This appeared and appears to me to be the ideal platform for the growing global Dermato-Surgical movement. To me, Larry was like a father. He had a very strong power to lift someone up. This was the case for many of us, as well as for me. His demise is an incredibly big loss. In deeply grateful commemoration."

Harold J. Brody, MD
"I will never forget being with Larry in Edinburgh, Scotland where he was garbed in full kilts and regalia and playing the bagpipes. He could share his heritage and contribute wonderful education at any International Meeting. I am honored to be one of his International Mentors and selected to be a friend and honoree at the end of his career. Rest in Peace; we will miss you."

Glenn Goldman, MD
“What many younger surgeons may not be aware of is the remarkable and prolific contribution Larry made to the surgical literature, including his vocal defense of dermatologic surgery and his many thoughtful contributions to the island flap, skin graft, eyelid transposition, rhytidectomy and liposuction. Those in ACMS may not know Dr. Field as well, as he was not a Mohs surgeon, but Larry did as much to fight the early battles against geometric excision and closure as any Mohs surgeon.  We all know that Larry could bowl you over, but that was the great thing about him. He was tough as nails, and in his final years he remained dedicated to task despite ailments that would have brought others to their knees. I remember so well an ASDS meeting when he showed up the day after being hospitalized, having signed out of the hospital just to attend the lecture. I will miss his phone calls urging me onward. And when I can again travel, I will try to carry on his tradition of education. Good rest to you my friend.”

Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores, MD
"I first met Dr. Field during my residency training in 2005, I was inspired his passion to teach. 2016, I met him after he paved the way for my dermatologic surgery under the mentorship of Prof. Kee. I would always remember his love for teaching despite old age."

Razan Kadry, MD
"I had the pleasure of meeting and working with dr. Field in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and learned the basics of liposuction from the artist himself. His grace and compassion were contagious. He encouraged me to do a procedural dermatology fellowship in New York, which I did from 2006-07. This training and his guidance changed the course of my career forever. I will always be forever grateful and I believe we lost an icon of a human being. Pure gold. May He Rest In Peace."

Martin H. Kay, MD, PhD
"I first met Dr. Field at one of Dr. Garry Fenno's Liposuction weekend courses and Texas size get togethers in the mid '80s. This was at a time when dermatologists and other surgically trained physicians were developing, perfecting and sharing their innovative cosmetic surgical methods. As opposed to other surgical fields that were trying to restrict such innovation and dissemination of methodologies, many of our forward thinking and selfless leaders banded together in the newly formed AACS to counter such small mindedness. Larry was one of these selfless educators and I followed his remarkable career as I had moved to Southern California soon after. I called him often for advice on educational opportunities and various nuances of his techniques. I also attended his international meetings which highlighted how much he loved all people as well as a good social event. How he convinced so many great surgical innovators and educators to share their knowledge with us all I will never fully know but his hundreds of groupies will sadly miss his smile and true caring."