Obituary of Gerald Mark Sloan

Gerald Mark Sloan died peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, May 20 at the age of 63. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Elizabeth, his two children David and Emily, and his sister Diane Gordon of New York. Dr. Sloan was born in New Haven, CT to Edward and Anne Slutsky and attended Hopkins Grammar School before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Harvard and Harvard Medical School. He was a renowned specialist in pediatric plastic surgery and in 1995 joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) School of Medicine as Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Medical Director of the UNC Craniofacial Center; in 1996, he was awarded the Ethel F. and James A. Valone Distinguished Professorship. Prior to coming to UNC, he was director of the Craniofacial Cleft Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Southern California. His research and practice focused on the surgical treatment of cleft palate-related speech problems. He was named a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Surgeons and was a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sloan published numerous articles in medical journals, including his pioneering work on the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. He was a consultant for ongoing research at the National Cancer Institute's Surgery Branch and a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology. Gerry's impressive taste in music ranged from chamber works by Schubert to Bruce Springsteen. He was an avid reader, and a scholar and collector of ancient Greek coins. He appreciated and collected fine wine and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 1:00 PM, Amity United Methodist Church, 825 North Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, 27514. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, 1504 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514