August 10, 2007

To all Faculty, Staff, and Students of the Miller School of Medicine,

It is with great sadness that I must report that the Miller School has lost a dear friend. Harcourt Sylvester, Jr., whose vision and generosity founded the UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, has passed away at the age of 80.

Mr. Sylvester was passionate about both finding cures for cancers and the comfort of the patient. He even took a great personal interest in the design of UM/Sylvester, crafting a soothing multidisciplinary cancer clinic designed around the needs of patients. 

At the opening of the center that bears his family’s name, in 1992, Mr. Sylvester shared this message: “If we love, if we hope, if we help one another, if we help the less fortunate … we will exceed our fondest expectations. May hope run eternal in us all.”

Thousands of patients have been able to share in that hope because of the generosity of this remarkable man and his outstanding family. He will be greatly missed.

Sincerely,
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean