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Posted June 26, 2018 - In Memoriam:  Randa Alsabeh, M.D.

It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Dr. Randa Alsabeh. Dr. Alsabeh joined SCPMG on 2013, becoming a partner in the Pathology department on 2016. She was loved by everyone and will be missed.  She is survived by her loving husband, Najeeb Alshak, MD, and her adoring sons Ryan and Mark. MAY SHE DANCE IN HEAVEN. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to St. Nicholas Antioch Orthodox Cathedral OR Meningioma Mommas Foundation. Please keep her, her family and her friends in your prayers.

Posted February 22, 2014 - In Memoriam:  Beverly A. James, M.D. (1960-2014)

Beverly Ann James, the only child of Beatrice and Belton James, was born October 7, 1960 in Florence, South Carolina. It was evident at an early age that young Beverly possessed a superior intellect. This was recognized and encouraged by her parents, both educators. She learned to read and write quickly and excelled scholastically throughout her lifetime. Bev was an active child and had many friends which would hold true throughout her lifetime. She attended high school in Florence and became actively engaged in sports and volunteer activities. She, along with her parents, grandmother, cousins and other family members were devout church goers as well. Maintaining a high GPA throughout her high school years, she was easily accepted into the University of South Carolina in Columbia and pursued premedical studies there. She completed her undergraduate studies in 1982 with a BS in Biology. It was here that she pledged her beloved Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Beverly graduated at the top of her class at USC and was immediately accepted into the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She excelled scholastically here as well and developed a keen interest in histology. After her clinical rotations were completed, Beverly decided she preferred laboratory and microscopic studies to the hectic, fast paced life of the hospital wards and emergency rooms. Beverly was awarded her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1986 and decided to pursue a career in clinical pathology. Young Dr. James began her residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond but transferred to the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles the following year in 1987. She completed her residency there in 1991. She took and passed her anatomical and clinical pathology boards and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology in 1991. Ever thirsty for knowledge, Dr. James completed not one but two post-doctoral fellowships! Dr. James completed her fellowship in surgical pathology at the world renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City in 1992. She then came back to Los Angeles to complete a second fellowship in cytopathology and fine needle aspiration at UCLA Medical Center. Her credentials were impeccable! It was time now for Dr. James to find a position and she did. She became co-director of laboratory studies at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Department of Pathology, where she would spend her entire career. She ran the fine needle biopsy program, performed , directed and read bone marrow biopsies and was director of the blood bank. Dr. James wore many hats at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in addition to her clinical responsibilities. She was on the Medical Executive Committee and Credentials Committee. She was Chair, Department of Pathology, 2005-2006. Dr. James was an active, well respected member of the Los Angeles Society of Pathology and served as a Board member from 2010-2013.

In addition to her professional accolades, Beverly had many outside interests. She amassed a real estate empire over the past 20 years in Los Angeles and Pasadena which continues to thrive. She remained an avid church goer regularly attending mass at All Saints Church in Pasadena. She was a frequent visitor at HRock Church in Pasadena as well as Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach. Beverly was an avid basketball fan, ardent Laker supporter and season ticket holder at the Staples center for many years. She loved music and was a regular at Hollywood Bowl concerts and many music venues around town. Her greatest achievement came later in life when she adopted her beloved son, Christian, in 2009. He was the light of her life.

Dr. Beverly James succumbed to heart disease on February 4, 2014 at 53 years of age. She is survived by her son, Christian, her parents, Beatrice and Belton James, cousins Ronald Barrett and Michael Brown, beloved friend Marie Dharmaratne and her 2 sons, Malachi and Liam and a host of friends, relatives and colleagues too numerous to mention.

Her infectious smile, humble ways and wonderful, giving spirit will be missed by all. Our lives were all made better by having known our beloved Beverly. 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' May you rest in peace for all eternity.

Posted April 29, 2010 - In Memoriam:  Albert F. Brown, M.D.

It is with great sadness that we report that Albert F. Brown, M.D., past president of Los Angeles Society of Pathologists in 1953, passed away on March 21, 2010, at age of 103.  According to his daughter, Sally Gibson, he was still extremely mentally alert and witty.

Posted January 30, 2008 - In Memoriam:  Roger Terry, M.D. -  May 1917 to January 2008

Roger Terry, a long time member of the LASOP, recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Dr. Terry only fairly recently retired from active practice in pathology in 2003. A past president of LASOP back in 1974, he received a lifetime achievement award in 2006. He graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1944. After his internship and residency there, he did a fellowship at the AFIP in Washington, D.C. and returned to Rochester as associate professor and then professor of pathology from 1956-1969. He then moved to California and served as professor of pathology at LAC/USC Medical Center from 1969-1982. Undeterred by the mandatory retirement age of 65, he then went on to work part time another 21 years at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. He contributed to many articles in professional journals over the years and maintained memberships in many academic societies besides LASOP.

He held many positions of distinction including time spent as:
- Executive Director of the California Tumor Tissue Registry in LA 1969 – 1984.
- Captain in the US Air Force 1954-56
- Fellow in the American Society of Clinical Pathologists

Dr. Terry also belonged to the:
- American College of Pathologists
- International Academy of Pathology (councilor 1973 – 1976)
- American Society of Investigative Pathology
- American Society of Cytopathology
- International Society of Dermatopathology
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Alpha Omega Alpha
- Sigma Xi

Dr. Terry had a deep and unending enthusiasm for all aspects of surgical pathology, hence the often seen “perpetual” smile on his face. He will surely be remembered by many past students and residents who studied with him at the University of Rochester and LAC/USC residency programs. Despite his numerous academic awards and achievements, he was an extraordinarily kindly, humble and patient man. I never knew him to ever do anything in anger or haste. One of his favorite sayings was that “the success of a professor is best measured by the accomplishments of his students”.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor – his devoted partner both in life and on the dance floor, son Orrin and his beloved granddaughters Jennifer and Allison.

Orrin Terry, M.D.

Posted December 28, 2007 - In Memoriam:  Jules A. Kernen, M.D. -- 1929 - 2007
Jules Kernen, a long-time member and former president of the LASOP, recently passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Jules retired from the active practice of pathology in 1993. He was, for many years, a partner in the Clinical Laboratory Medical Group, a pathologist at the Good Samaritan Hospital, and a Clinical Professor of Pathology at the Keck USC School of Medicine. He was an exceptionally talented pathologist, scientist, and teacher with a great sense of humor. Dr. Kernen was appreciated, respected and liked by colleagues, clinicians, residents and employees.

He excelled academically at an early age in his home town of St. Louis, skipping two grades in High School and receiving several national academic awards. He enrolled at Harvard University with a scholarship at age 16 and graduated from it at the age of 19 summa cum laude, majoring in chemistry. He received his M.D. degree at Washington University where he was consistently ranked first academically in his class throughout medical school. Dr. Kernen then took his residency in pathology at the same institution under Dr. Lauren Ackerman. He co-authored papers with Dr. Ackerman on malignant melanoma and other subjects, and remained a life-long friend of Lauren's. Jules was a credit to the LASOP and to all institutions with which he became affiliated and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Rita Kernen.
Posted October 30, 2006 - In Memoriam:  Juan Lechago, M.D., Ph.D. 1942 - 2006

Our friend, colleague and teacher, Juan Lechago, died on Friday, September 29, 2006.

Juan was an internationally renowned pathologist who educated and inspired pathologists and other physicians for more than thirty years. He was widely respected for his expertise in gastrointestinal pathology and was acknowledged as one of the world's authorities on neuroendocrine tumors.

Juan was born in Barcelona, Spain. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees in Cordoba, Argentina and his M. Sc. (Pathology) and Ph.D. from Queen's University, in Ontario, Canada. He completed his residency in Pathology at Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and then joined the faculty at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 1973 where he remained for 14 years, rising to the rank of Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He moved to University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, in 1987 to be Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Chief of the Laboratory Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, as well as Director of the Morphology Core of the Center for Diabetes Research. In 1990 he moved to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston as Professor of Pathology and Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) and Director of the Surgical Pathology Service at the Methodist Hospital.

In 2002 we recruited him to be head of the gastrointestinal pathology and endocrine services in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he earned the greatest respect, admiration and affection from his colleagues, residents and fellows and support staff in Pathology as well as from clinicians.

Dr. Lechago had more than a hundred articles in peer-reviewed journals and 25 book chapters. He edited or co-edited four books, including Cellular Basis of Chemical Messengers in the Digestive System, Endocrine Pathology Update, and Bloodworth's Endocrine Pathology. His newest book, Intraoperative Pathology is to be published. He was a gifted, highly articulate and entertaining speaker and was an invited lecturer at medical centers and at scientific symposia throughout the world.

His many friends will particularly remember him for his great warmth, the extraordinary depth of his medical knowledge, his support of colleagues and students, and his unswerving devotion to, and love for, the practice of Pathology. He delighted in studying cases, rendering diagnoses and teaching. He was highly cultured and loved music, art, travel, good food and wine and was as informed in these areas as in medicine. He delighted in sharing his knowledge and experiences and was the most genial professional associate and social companion. Juan was without guile or artifice and, despite his extraordinary abilities and accomplishments, was modest and unassuming.

His greatest love was for his family. He revered and admired his mother, recounting that much of his abilities and accomplishments came from her guidance and teaching. He found great love with his first wife, Lea with whom he had three children, and after her death with his current wife, Zunilda, who became his mate, his companion, his comfort and his inspiration. He had the greatest pleasure in talking about his children, who he greatly and unconditionally loved. He was proud of the accomplishments of John and James and Sarah, but mostly found joy in their personal qualities. He was especially proud to have contributed to the development of three such fine human beings.

The passing away of this legendary pathologist leaves an immeasurable void in our discipline. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Mahul B. Amin, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Posted May 4, 2006 - In Memoriam:  Weldon Kimball Bullock

An Educator, Pioneering Pathologist and War Hero
01/06/1908 - 03/28/2006

Weldon Kimball Bullock M.D., a pioneering Southern-California pathologist, died March 28, 2006 from the complications of a heart attack and fall. He was 98 years old. For six decades he influenced the diagnosis of tumors and their successful removal through his education of students, pathology residents, pathologists, and surgeons at LAC-USC and by his directorship of the California Tumor Tissue Registry. In later years, he received lifetime achievement awards from both the Los Angeles Society of Pathology and the California Society of Pathology. Those who knew him respected and loved an unselfish, unassuming, and modest man.

Dr. Bullock was born in Vernal, Utah to parents who taught him the importance of love and tolerance. As a child he shook the hand of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt during a barnstorming campaign.

On December 26th, 1931 he married Dosia Opal Newton in San Diego, California and they remained married until her death in 2004. They had two sons, John Kimball Bullock and James Kay Bullock (now deceased).

His chosen field was medicine, and he graduated from Northwestern University Medical School in 1934. He did an internal medicine residency at Cook County Hospital, and later a pathology residency at LAC-USC. At this time he decided to devote his life to the understanding of tumor diagnosis and studied biochemistry and physiology at Harvard (1946). He then became the first James Ewing Fellow at Memorial Hospital (New York, 1948-1949).

His career was interrupted by World War II. From 1941-1945 he served as a medical doctor in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre, particularly Australia and New Guinea. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and was awarded the American Defense Service Medal as well as the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with Bronze Star. When demobilized from active duty he resumed his civilian medical career and never discussed these awards.

Dr. Bullock decided to practice pathology in Southern California. His passion was education and he taught pathology at LA County-USC medical center for more than twenty years while he was chief of surgical pathology (1949-1969). He was also chief of pathology at L.A. Orthopedic Hospital from 1956-1963, and was a consultant with them until his death. He also served as chief pathologist at St. Luke Hospital in Pasadena.

In the mid-fifties he upgraded a local continuing medical education program to state and national levels. Until that time the pathologic diagnosis of tumors had been somewhat subjective. But with his idea of a “sharing program” pathologists in multiple institutions could see the diagnoses of their distant colleagues. His newly founded organization became funded by the American Cancer Society and eventually became known as the California Tumor Tissue Registry (CTTR, www.cttr.org). He directed it for over forty years. Even in retirement and up to his passing, Dr. Bullock continued to work in the Registry. In his final years he helped elevate the Registry to its internationally renowned status.

His personal avocation was aviation and he held a commercial license with instrument rating. His last flight was at the age of 79. He logged over 6000 hours, mostly in a turbocharged Beechcraft Bonanza.

Weldon Bullock, M.D. was respected by his peers and students for his teaching and devotion to pathology. His directorship of the CTTR was only one of his many legacies. With his passing the profession of pathology loses one of its founders and patriarchs.

He is survived by his son, John Bullock, daughter-in-law, Cathy Bullock, grandchildren Heidi Bullock and her husband Anthony Tam, Matthew Bullock and his wife Sunni, granddaughters Lauren Bullock and Melanie Bullock, and great-granddaughter Maci Jean Bullock, daughter of Matthew and Sunni. He is also survived by Sheryl Bullock (Arnold), who was married to the late James K. Bullock.

The family suggests that tax-deductible donations be made to the Weldon Bullock Endowment Fund for Education and Research, California Tumor Tissue Registry, 11021 Campus Avenue, AH 335, Loma Linda, CA 92350


Weldon K. Bullock
Pathology Patriarch and My Friend
Donald Chase

Although I only met Weldon in 1991, I’ve really known him for over 30 years. Like thousands of others, I learned pathology through his monthly study sets and national seminars. When he came to Loma Linda he “interviewed” me in my office where he said, “this is the place”, meaning that I was to become his successor. The phrase also seemed a paraphrase of something Joseph Smith once said in Utah. Although Weldon wasn’t an actively religious man, in my eyes he was truly righteous.

So, at the age of 82, Weldon became my close friend, taking up residence at campus pathology where he became a father figure to myself and to our four lady employees. Since then, to his current age of 98, he commuted 70+ miles each week to research our study set cases and to be a presence at the California Tumor Tissue Registry (www.cttr.org).

I found in Weldon a friend who was 43 years my elder. As legend has it, as a child he shook the hand of Teddy Roosevelt, and through his life, he was truly Americana. He served in World War II, an experience that he downplayed. About ten years ago, however, he wore his uniform proudly as I took his picture. It still fit perfectly!

During his career he wrote over 40 articles with luminaries such as Drs. Hugh Edmonson, Al Hirst, George Hummer, Dr. Thompson, Gordon Hadley, and others.

He served on numerous national and regional medical committees, both for pathology and surgery, and in 1948, was the first James Ewing Fellow at Memorial Hospital in New York.

But these facts are only ink on a page. Weldon was a truly fine gentleman, someone who you’d expect to greet you when you enter the pearly gates. He was always the first one to say something nice about a person. His passion for teaching pathology residents was monumental.

I will miss my friend, Dr. Weldon Bullock, as will the California Tumor Tissue Registry, and as will the entire profession of pathology. Let us celebrate his life!


A Tribute to Dad
Sheryl Bullock Arnold

Weldon Bullock was my father-in-law. I was married to his son, Jim Bullock, who passed away in 1992. After Jim passed away I continued to be close to him and to his wife, Dosia. We had built a loving relationship over many years and neither of us wanted that to change.

Dad was always a kind and loving father-in-law to me and after my own father passed away in 1997 I relied on him to be a father figure in my life. We would visit and I would talk to him about his now adult grandchildren and how they were doing. Sometimes I would seek his advice on medical situations with my family or friends. And he would tell great stories about growing up in Vernal, Utah, and about being a country doctor in Emmett, Idaho. He gave new meaning to Michener’s title, “Tales of the South Pacific,” as he recounted fascinating stories about World War II and working as a medical officer at one of the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur.

Dad was a man I deeply admired. His dedication to his life’s work was such an example to me of self-sacrificing commitment. Only those who worked with him really know how tirelessly he worked to create for the California Tumor Tissue Registry the reputation it has today. During the years since the Registry has been at Loma Linda he made the drive nearly every week from the Pasadena/Alhambra area out to Loma Linda to work all day at the Registry, spend the night, and work all the next day. Then he would drive back to Alhambra- all this he was still doing at 98!

Dad was very generous with his time and was always willing to have a slide sent to him that came from a biopsy of a friend or family member. He would read the slide and get back to the doctors with his highly respected opinion. We always felt better knowing that dad was involved.

Dad was also very generous outside the medical field with his time and with his money. There were many people I know he quietly helped when times were difficult for them, offering them emotional support and financial assistance. He took people under his wing and made sure they were taken care of. There were people I know he was still concerned about and helped even as he lay in his hospital bed during the last weeks of his life. He was a great example to me of charity and kindness.

Dad was also an example to me of love and devotion after his wife, Dosia, had to be put in the PEO home. He visited with her nearly every day and determined where he lived by whether or not it was close enough to the home where she was living. He continued being faithful in his visits long after she stopped knowing who he was.

Four and a half years after Jim Bullock (dad’s son and my husband) died, I remarried. One of my greatest concerns was my relationship with Dad and Mom Bullock and how they would be able to adjust to my new husband. A great testimony to the kind of loving people that they were is the fact that they accepted my new husband with great love and kindness. Dad would always say to me: “You found a good man there. I’m so happy for you”. This generous attitude allowed us to continue our close relationship and for that I am so thankful. He was a wonderful father-in-law to me and I loved him dearly.

Posted November 25, 2005 - In Memoriam:   Dr. Klaus Lewin
Klaus J. Lewin, M.D. (1936 -2005)

We are truly sad to report that Klaus Lewin, a longstanding and active member and former President of the Society, died on October 25th, 2005 at his home in Pacific Palisades.

Klaus was born on August 10th, 1936 in Jerusalem and was educated at Victoria College in Alexandria, Egypt, before pursuing a medical degree at the Westminster Hospital in London. After residency and early experience in England he moved to Stanford University where he developed his interest in gastrointestinal pathology, an interest that started at the Gordon Hospital in London when Klaus undertook pioneering work on Paneth cells with the renowned Dr Dawson.. He was recruited to Pathology at UCLA by Chairman Julien van Lancker and Walter Coulson, Chief of Surgical Pathology in 1976. The choice of Klaus Lewin as a new faculty member in Surgical Pathology at UCLA was a highly significant recruitment for the Department. Dr. Lewin went on to make an enormous impact in academic gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic pathology. His accomplishments are evidenced by his world renown as a diagnostician, researcher, and teacher

Dr. Lewin was Chief of GI/liver/ and pancreatic pathology at UCLA from 1989 to 2003 and innumerable pathologists within and beyond UCLA came to depend on his consultative opinion. He was a noted exponent of the integration of clinical assessment with pathologic findings in the determination of the final pathologic diagnosis; to the great benefit of the patient. His research achievements are reflected by his extensive publication record (169 papers, 3 books, 39 chapters, 82 abstracts). The fields of GI inflammatory disorders, neoplasia and liver transplantation were all substantially advanced by his work. Dr. Lewin’s high and unwavering professionalism gave credibility to his academic works. However, it was the personable manner in which he conveyed his great store of information that made the experience of instruction by Klaus Lewin truly memorable. As a highly sought after international speaker (262 speaking engagements) he engaged many pathologists to such a degree that in no time they were visiting the Department and working along side him as friends and colleagues. These relationships proved enduring. Dr. Lewin mentored many pathologists-in-training who all testify to his endearing nature and encyclopedic knowledge He established a GI pathology fellowship training program at UCLA, and graduates of that program enhance programs at Yale, University of Chicago, UCLA, UC Davis, UC Irvine, the Medical University of South Carolina, and abroad. Additionally, Dr. Lewin initiated the highly appreciated and enduring weekly Pathology Grand Rounds at UCLA. Another significant achievement for the Department was his early development of an effective and compendious Immunohistochemistry Service.

He taught Pathology in every continent. His protégés include chiefs of GI Pathology in prominent academic centers around this country and current and former members of the Department at UCLA. They include his son David, now a full Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. Klaus was very proud of all the generations of his family: many of whom were and are physicians

Klaus and his wife Patricia were generous hosts in their elegant and happy home Klaus was skilled in the preparation of delectable desserts, and easily could have been a professional patissier. All who have had the privilege of knowing the Lewins personally have been touched and inspired by Patricia’s devotion to Klaus and the kindness and warmth of spirit of their family.

Dr. Lewin was a leader in his field and a true and kind gentleman. He gave his many talents willingly and unstintingly to UCLA, to his community, to his profession and to his specialty. He is and will continue to be greatly missed.

Klaus passed away at home in Pacific Palisades surrounded by the mountains and ocean that were so important to him. He is survived by his wife Patricia, three children, David, Nicola, and Bruno (all physicians) and five grandchildren.

Galen Cortina, Alistair J. Cochran, Walter F. Coulson