In Memoriam: Dr. Arthur N. Thomas, MD

Dr. Arthur N. Thomas, MD, a distinguished figure in thoracic surgery, who served as Professor of Surgery at UCSF and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at San Francisco General Hospital from 1971 to 2000, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 94 years. Born in Salinas, California, Dr. Thomas pursued his education at Pacific Union College and the University of British Columbia Medical School, completing his surgical residency at Stanford and UCSF, where he conducted significant research on breast cancer and calcium metabolism. Renowned for his proficiency in complex pulmonary and esophageal surgeries, Dr. Thomas was also a pioneer in cardiac surgery, collaborating with Mel Scheinman to treat malignant arrhythmias. His expertise was pivotal in managing thoracic complications from tuberculosis and esophageal strictures due to lye ingestion. Dr. Thomas was a founding member of the Samson Thoracic Surgical Society, later known as the Western Thoracic Surgical Society, and served as its President in 1983-84. A revered mentor and clinician, he trained many surgeons and was affectionately known as “Uncle Art” for his sage advice and mentorship. His enduring legacy at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital is characterized by his generous spirit, infectious humor, and steadfast commitment to his patients and colleagues.

Dr. Arthur N. Thomas was a foundational pillar upon which the UCSF Department of Surgery grew and flourished. His generous spirit, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to his patients, students, and colleagues have become an inseparable part of the legacy of surgery at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital.