Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA, FACS
ASLMS President, 1995 - 1996
What initiative are you most proud of from your presidency?
There were several things that were accomplished or initialized during my presidency. Among them was moving the needle toward having the annual
conference content organized more along topic lines as opposed to strict "specialty" or "discipline" lines. We also began the process of rewarding active participation in the Society and using that as a criteria for "fellow" designation and transitioning
away from every new discipline or "Board" arguing that they met the criteria in By-laws for "fellow"...which meant legal review and By-laws revision each time that occurred. On a related note, we successfully squelched a movement by the then so-called
"Board of Laser Surgery" regarding their push to be the locus for (and requirement) for "certification".
Who has inspired you most over the course of your career?
I've had a booster/mentor at each stage of my education
and career from elementary school on up. Each of these individuals played a critical role in my development and achievements, my family notwithstanding. That said, from the perspective of my professional career J. Raymond Hinshaw, MD, DPhil was
arguably the greatest influence. He was Chief of Surgery at Rochester General Hospital and was a true Renaissance Man, phenomenal intellect with an eidetic memory and a great friend. He always encouraged, had a way of having one feel that nothing
was too crazy or impossible, lauded success and rewarded success in clinical and research pursuits (including enticing us with conferences that were global and international), and he always seemed to find funds and "connections" to giants in surgery
and captains of industry.
What makes you, you? Something that was critical to your formative years?
As I said above, I've had a booster/mentor at each stage of my education and career from elementary school on
up. That included very strong parental and family support and encouragement. My interest in science and how things "work" began very early and even in grade school was dissecting earthworms, frogs and more, peering into microscopes, reading science
magazines (and fascination with National Geographic magazine and Scientific American). In High School, Jack (John) Walters, SJ was the biology teacher. He encouraged me in Advanced Biology and nurtured my research studies. My project on morphogenetic
movement of cells in Japanese Medaka (fish) embryos was something that he and Fr. Eugene Zimpfer, SJ used to encourage me to enter the Westinghouse Science Talent Search (now Intel) in which I was named to the Honors Group. That brought literally
a hundred schools to my door, but Jack encouraged me to go to Cornell. At Cornell Anthony Blackler, PhD was my Honors Program research advisor... and a project on effects of ionizing radiation on germ cell numbers in Epiplatys dageti (Firechin
Killifish) was the subject of my honors thesis. I continued to learn the value of research and reinforced inquisitiveness, problem-solving and the fact that answering one question led to other interesting questions to investigate. I was always
great at anatomy, fine dissection and identifying structures on practical exams. There are many other mentors along the way and many colleagues and friends who have molded me into who I am and who have supported me in some way along the way. I
am very task-oriented and goal directed and strive to accomplish tasks and goals efficiently. I most enjoy thinking about things in new ways and have strived in research and clinical pursuits to provide practical solutions to problems. I
enjoy education and hopefully, impacting the lives of patients and the next generations positively.
What do you like to do in your free time? Your favorite hobby?
Free time can be at a premium! I have a number
of hobbies. I enjoy singing and am a Cantor and Choir member in my church. I enjoy photography, gardening, floral arrangement, and travel. My best friend and I enjoy going to see big screen Sci-Fi and action movies.
Tell us something our members may not know about you.
All of the foregoing answers, notwithstanding, that is an interesting question. I'd have to say that I get the greatest joy out of trying to make a difference. My professional career has been possible through dedication and hard work but has
also been the result of being in the right place at the right time, and in the presence of wonderful friends, colleagues and others. (ALSLMS-wise, I've been until recently part of the Board or leadership in some fashion since 1986).