In Memoriam: Nicholas J. Vogelzang MD1
Dr. Nick Vogelzang passed away on September 20th, 2022. He was 72. He lived a life well spent.
Nick received his medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago, then completed his internship and residency at Rush University Medical Center. He then went on to a fellowship in oncology at the University of Minnesota.
Nick was an extraordinary force of nature in the decades that followed. He served as Director of the NCI designated University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center and later as founding Director of the Nevada Cancer Institute.
He was a fierce champion for clinical research and clinical trials that changed standards of care. Among his countless leadership roles, he chaired the CALGB GU committee and served as a visionary vice-chair of our own SWOG GU Committee. He was a staunch advocate for the mentorship of early career investigators.
Most importantly, he was a master clinician with an impeccable bedside manner. He himself was a cancer survivor. He personally knew what people with cancer had to go through. He had to deal with the long term adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation. He was known for giving his personal cell phone number to the patients he cared for. Needless to say, his patients adored him.
On a personal level, Nick was a true gentleman. Respectable. Caring. Knowledgeable. Empathetic. Qualities that many of us can only aspire to achieve. When I faced my own professional career crossroads, I had sought and benefited from Nick’s sage counsel, just like countless others.
Today, we mourn Nick Vogelzang’s passing, yet we are comforted by the thought that he is still very much alive. His legacy and inspiration live on in those whose lives he had touched: his colleagues, mentees, patients, and caregivers. Thank you again, Professor Vogelzang. Rest in peace.
