S. Frederick Slafsky

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – S. Frederick Slafsky, a retired general surgeon who practiced in Providence for 38 years, died Jan. 8 at Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. 

One of the first surgical appointees to Brown Medical School, he was a clinical associate professor of surgery (1986-2002) and named surgeon emeritus when he retired in 2004. He was a compassionate physician and a dedicated and committed teacher who built strong bonds with his patients, students and professional colleagues whom he valued and respected.

A native of Gloucester, Mass., where he spent summers working on the docks, he retained a love for the ocean and fishing throughout his life. He graduated from Cornell University in 1954 and Cornell Medical College in 1958.

He served the first two years of his surgical residency at Boston City Hospital (1958-60) and completed his chief residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital, N.Y., where he received the Speidel Award for research on portacaval shunts from Cardinal Spellman in 1963. He was chief surgical resident at Boston Floating Hospital (1963-64) and a research fellow and instructor of surgery at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, working in the animal laboratories of pioneering transplant surgeon and future Nobel Prize winner Dr. Joseph E. Murray (1964-65).

Committed to quality care throughout his career, Dr. Slafsky joined The Miriam Hospital in 1965 and was the first director of the Surgical ICU. He served on many hospital committees and boards and participated in the development of Lifespan. He had clinical appointments at Roger Williams Medical Center, Women & Infants Hospital and the Veterans Hospital.

He leaves his wife Joan Temkin Slafsky, his sons John (Amy Rosenberg) of Palo Alto, Calif., and Ted (Diane Prescott) of Vienna, Va., and four grandchildren, Rachel, Adam, Ethan and Jessie.

Gifts in his memory may be made to The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906 and WaterFire Providence, 101 Regent Ave., Providence, R.I. 02908.