Our dear colleague, Dr. Keith Amos, died suddenly in Edinburgh, Scotland, while on a Dr. Claude Organ, Jr., Travel Award from the American College of Surgeons. We all hold in our thoughts his wife, Ahaji, and their three young daughters.
Dr. Amos was a treasured member of the UNC Medical School, The Department of Surgery, the Division of Surgical Oncology and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was a caring doctor, avid researcher, engaged collaborator, effective teacher and just a terrific human being. Colleagues, medical students, surgery residents and especially patients, to whom he was so dedicated, will sorely miss him.
Dr. Amos was passionate about getting out in communities to speak about cancer, the importance of cancer screening, and cancer disparities. He traveled across North Carolina collaborating with numerous groups, who always appreciated and were impressed by his commitment and dedication. He was a true ambassador for the University of North Carolina.
Dr Amos was recruited to UNC in 2007. He earned his medical degree from Harvard University, and completed surgery residency at Washington University in Saint Louis. His passion for cancer education and care lead him to a Surgical Oncology fellowship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
While interviewing for his faculty position, he read the plaque located in the lobby of N.C. Memorial Hospital that reads, “Operated for and by the People of North Carolina.” He frequently said, “I think that’s a really powerful statement. I think one of the things that attracted me here is that UNC is a state institution”. “We as physicians have an obligation to care for and educate citizens about their health problems.”
Dr. Amos honored that commitment, and during his short career at UNC, focused his significant energy on all aspects of the multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program in Chapel Hill, Raleigh and across the state.