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Dr. Donald Edward Sweet
Orthopaedic Educator
Thomas V. Smallman, M.D., FRCSC
Director, COA Annual Basic Science Course
Syracuse, NY
Unexpectedly, on the 2nd of August 2004, Dr. Don Sweet died of complications related to renal failure. His contribution to the orthopaedic community in Canada, and the impact of his loss is best summarized by Dr. Alain Jodoin’s note of condolence to Dr. Sweet’s widow, Elizabeth, and his family and friends:
“Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Don Sweet from his many Canadian friends and colleagues. We consider Don Sweet an icon in the world of orthopaedic education – he will be sorely missed.
His voluntary participation as the principle speaker at the Canadian Orthopaedic Association Annual Basic Science Course for the past 17 years has allowed more than one thousand orthopaedic residents to experience his unique, powerful and inimitable style of teaching. His words and his thoughts touched all. At the recent meeting of the COA Board of Directors, it was unanimously decided to honour Dr. Sweet’s enormous contributions to the education of Canadian orthopaedic residents with the COA Award of Merit. This award was scheduled to be presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting in Montréal. Sadly, this presentation will now be made “à titre post-hume” as we say in French.
We wish, through this message to you who shared his life, to acknowledge the passing of a great man. We give thanks for his short presence in our lives.”
At the time of his death, Dr. Sweet was Chairman of the Department of Bone and Joint Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP] in Washington, DC. He had held that position since 1980.
He was internationally known for his expertise on bone disease. He published hundreds of papers on bone and joint pathology, contributed to books and articles on basic science research. He often spoke at medical seminars and was a frequent expert witness in legal cases.
One of his highest priorities was medical education. He directed AFIP’s annual course on orthopaedic pathology for 30 years. His generosity and support allowed us to establish the COA’s Basic Science Course in 1987.
Dr. Sweet was born in Norwalk, Conn., and graduated from Fairfield University in that state. He studied medicine at Georgetown University, graduating in 1963.
As a commissioned Army officer from 1968 to 1971, he served as a staff pathologist at the AFIP, part of the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre. He attained the rank of Major in the military. From 1971 to 1976, he taught pathology at the University of Virginia medical school. He rejoined the AFIP as a civilian employee in 1976 working first as the Assistant Chief of the Orthopaedic Pathology Department before becoming Chairman.
Dr. Sweet received awards from international medical organizations and the military for his numerous contributions to pathology. He was a fellow of the College of American Pathologists. He was an avid golfer who particularly enjoyed friendly competition.
A member of the Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, Maryland, Don Sweet was a first and foremost a family man who leaves his wife, Elizabeth, and four children, Elizabeth Nichols, Deborah LeNard, Christopher, and Dr. Kevin Sweet, and five grandchildren.
On a personal level, Don Sweet was my mentor and close friend. He will be sorely missed as we attempt to continue his tradition of excellence in orthopaedic education.
He was the Wayne Gretzky of orthopaedic education.
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