The Bariatric Community Loses Dr. Obeid

Dr. Obeid was my first choice of surgeon when I began my WLS journey. But before I could have my surgery he suffered a stroke. I didn't realize he was also suffering from a brain tumor. I'm so sorry that the bariatric community has lost such a wonderful, spiritual and caring man. I was immediately drawn to him because of his great compassion and his belief that his talent was given to him from God and placed such great faith in our Lord. He touched my life in the short time I'd known him. --------------------------- From the Flint Journal - 3/10/08 FLINT, Michigan - Dr. Farouck Obeid, the surgical and spiritual foundation of Hurley's Bariatric Center as well as a teacher and mentor for the next generation of trauma surgeons, died Saturday. He was 58. "His personality, demeanor and way with people made such a difference in the long run. He was the kind of person that encouraged everyone around him," said Dr. Jim Wagner, a fellow surgeon and now director of trauma services at Hurley. "He encouraged everyone to be a better person, be a better surgeon." Obeid was the director of trauma services and the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Hurley as well as a senior staff surgeon at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit at the same time he led the Hurley Bariatric Center to be one of the most respected in Michigan and with one of the lowest mortality rates. He also helped elevate the trauma center to Level One status. Obeid worked until about six months ago when he became ill from a brain tumor. Obeid also was a professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, Case Western Reserve University and Michigan State University until his sickness. And, he did it all with his own personal touch that made him popular among staff and patients. "He was a compassionate man," said Hurley spokesman Larry Daly. "He really touched the lives of his patients." Obeid also was a Hurley Pinnacle Award Recipient in 2004 and the Physician of the Year in 2002. He authored 64 articles and seven books pertaining to the medical field. Obeid was born in Syria and graduated from the Damascus University School of Medicine in 1972. He worked at the DePaul Hospital in Norfolk, Va., before coming to Michigan. He'd been at Hurley since 1999 and began leading the Bariatric Center in 2005. Obeid's funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. George Orthodox Church, 2160 E. Maple Road in Troy. Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday, also at the church. Obeid leaves his wife, Gloria, and four children, Nadia Obeid, Nabeel Obeid, Leila Obeid and Nicholas Obeid. Contributions are being made to the Dr. Farouck Obeid Memorial Fund.