Carolyn Kaelin
Born
Carolyn Mary Scerbo

(1961-04-04)April 4, 1961
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 28, 2015(2015-07-28) (aged 54)
Charlestown, Massachusetts, U.S.
EducationSmith College (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Harvard University (MPH)
Scientific career
FieldsSurgical oncology
Breast cancer
InstitutionsBrigham and Women's Hospital
Dana–Farber Cancer Institute

Carolyn Kaelin (born Carolyn Mary Scerbo; April 4, 1961 – July 28, 2015) was an American cancer surgeon. She worked at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and founded the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 1995.

Early life and education

Carolyn Kaelin was born in Syracuse, New York, to Mary (née Zebrowski) and Richard Scerbo. She was raised in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and graduated from Indian Hills High School in Oakland, New Jersey, in 1979. She studied biochemistry and economics at Smith College.[1] She earned her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.[2] Kaelin also earned a master's degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.[3] During her residency, she earned an award for chief resident of the year.[4]

Career

Carolyn Kaelin decided to specialize in breast surgery because it allowed her to know her patients well and provide long-term care unlike other surgical specialties.[5] At the age of 34, Kaelin was appointed as a founding director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a major Harvard teaching hospital.[6] In 2001, she was selected as one of Newsweek's 15 Women of the New Century.[4] Kaelin was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2003.[6] She underwent multiple operations, one of which caused her to lose sensation in her fingers, leading to the end of her surgical career.[1]

Personal life

Carolyn Kaelin met her husband, William Kaelin Jr., while studying at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.[1] They were married in 1988.[1] Kaelin had two children, Kathryn and William (Tripp). Both are graduates of Yale University.[7] Carolyn Kaelin was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in 2010 and died of the tumor at her home in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on July 28, 2015, aged 54.[2]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c d Marquard, Bryan (3 August 2015). "Dr. Carolyn Kaelin, 54; inspiration as surgeon, patient". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b Grady, Denise (9 August 2015). "Carolyn Kaelin, Breast Cancer Surgeon, Patient Advocate and Patient, Dies at 54". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Dana-Farber mourns the death of breast surgeon Carolyn Kaelin, MD, MPH, FACS". Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b Newsweek Staff (7 January 2001). "Watch Out". Newsweek. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ^ Dwight, Valle (Summer 2007). "Seeing the Other Side". Vol. 93, no. 4. Smith Alumnae Quarterly. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b Phillip, Abby (3 August 2015). "Breast cancer surgeon turned patient, Carolyn Kaelin, dies at 54". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ^ Toussaint, Kristin. "Breast cancer surgeon Dr. Carolyn Kaelin dies at 54". Boston.com. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
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