Colleagues remember Brigham and Women’s doctor who died in a fall in the Dominican Republic
“My heart just breaks.”
Members of the medical community in Boston and across the country are mourning the death of an infectious disease physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who died suddenly last week. Dr. Francisco Marty, who was known for his love of photography, was taking a picture of a 275-foot waterfall in the Dominican Republic on April 8 when he fell to his death, The Boston Globe reports. The tragedy occurred on the second day of his trip, a long-anticipated break from the 53-year-old’s work as an infectious disease specialist during the COVID-19 pandemic. His brother shared the news of his passing on Twitter.
Hoy en la ciudad de Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, murió mi hermano mayor Francisco Miguel Marty Forero por un accidente, prestigioso médico venezolano infectólogo, PAZ A SU ALMA pic.twitter.com/D9x5LYjAGJ
— Rafael Marty (@rafaelmarty) April 9, 2021
In a statement, Brigham and Women’s called Marty a “gifted and devoted physician-scientist, specializing in the treatment of infectious diseases affecting transplant and cancer patients.”
“Throughout the pandemic, he also was a near-constant presence on our Special Pathogens Units, caring for vulnerable patients with compassion, warmth and meticulous attention to detail,” the hospital said. “Notably, last year he was the principal investigator for clinical trials that looked at the use of remdesivir, an antiviral medication, for COVID-19 patients. They were among several studies that led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand its emergency use authorization for remdesivir to treat all hospitalized patients with COVID-19.”
According to the Globe, a funeral mass was held Sunday in Santo Domingo for Marty.
Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, Dana Farber’s president, wrote in a statement that everyone at the institution was shocked and heartbroken by his death.
“He was devoted to his patients and a mentor to many,” she wrote. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. We will miss him dearly.”
The announcement of his death was met with a flood of messages from current and former colleagues, reacting with shock to the doctor’s death and sharing the ways he had impacted their lives.
Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the division of infectious disease at Brigham and Women’s, reacted to the news, writing his colleague was “a brilliant clinician, clinical researcher, teacher and photographer.”
“He taught us so much,” Sax wrote. “My heart just breaks.”
Dr. Jessica Little, a fellow in infectious disease at Brigham and Women’s, shared that Marty “defined what being a clinician means to me.”
“The lessons he taught me are immeasurable,” she wrote. “First and foremost he said, ‘never turn away from the patient.’ This was exemplified in the way he cracked jokes and remembered every personal detail of his patients’ lives. His patients often thought of him as family.”
There was never a moment when he wasn’t ready to teach or share his experiences with the “hundreds and thousands” of trainees whose lives he touched, she wrote.
“He saw others’ success as his own in a way that is truly rare,” Little said. “I am heartbroken that he is gone but I know he will live on in the minds and practice of so many that he impacted.”
The lessons he taught me are immeasurable. First and foremost he said, “never turn away from the patient”. This was exemplified in the way he cracked jokes and remembered every personal detail of his patients’ lives. His patients often thought of him as family.
— Jessica Little, MD (@JessicaLittleMD) April 9, 2021
He taught me this through the way that he lead clinical trials. Running them with an urgency and compassion that showed me that it was never about him or what he could accomplish. If the work felt like too much, he would look over at me and calmly say “one at a time”.
— Jessica Little, MD (@JessicaLittleMD) April 9, 2021
I am heartbroken that he is gone but I know he will live on in the minds and practice of so many that he impacted. We will miss you more than you can ever know @FranciscoMarty_
— Jessica Little, MD (@JessicaLittleMD) April 9, 2021
“For many years now, I saw you care for and elevate the people around you and make this world a better place,” Dr. Wilfredo Matias, an infectious disease physician at Brigham and Women’s, wrote. “And I would tell myself that you were the kind of doctor and person I hoped to become. We’ll be missing you dearly.”
For many years now, I saw you care for and elevate the people around you and make this world a better place. And I would tell myself that you were the kind of doctor and person I hoped to become.
We’ll be missing you dearly @_FranciscoMarty. Descansa en paz. 💔 https://t.co/6ar64llTCB
— Wilfredo Matias MD (@DrWilfredoM) April 9, 2021
Many shared photos of themselves with Marty or their favorite pictures that he had taken. The doctor had posted hundreds of photos to his Instagram account and on 500px, a website for photographers. According to a former colleague, the doctor would auction off his photos for charity at hospital talent shows.
Dr. Fatima Al Dhaheri, a pediatric infectious disease fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital, wrote she is taking solace in the reality that her mentor’s “gift to the world’ as a teacher will never be forgotten or gone.
“His passion, humility, and love for what he does was palpable … it inspired you to do better,” she wrote. “And be better.”
On the passing of Francisco Marty. Someone who was more than a mentor to me
A photo I took of Francisco at the highest summit in my Hometown of AlAin, UAE—taking a picture of the sunset
I know wherever he is, he is taking a photo of another sunset, only more beautiful pic.twitter.com/2xAqHiqQGB
— Fatima Al Dhaheri, MD فاطمة الظاهري (@FatimaAlDee) April 11, 2021
Below, see more of the memories being shared of Marty by his current and former colleagues:
When my son was born, Francisco Marty gave me a beautiful present – it was one of his photographs, framed. I was a first-year fellow and he was an attending. That kindness was constant. I turned to him for advice many many times this past year. What would I have done without it?
— Katy Stephenson, MD, MPH (@k_stephensonMD) April 9, 2021
I am completely devastated to hear about the passing of Dr. @FranciscoMarty_ . He was a great physician, a great photographer, and a great man. I am in shock as I write this. pic.twitter.com/gTHAqIbl1p
— Tolulope Rosanwo, MD (@drtolutolu) April 9, 2021
Devastate by the news of Dr. Francisco Marty. I’m glad I was able to tell him a couple weeks ago that he of anyone had the most influence on my career and that I was so appreciative of his genius and friendship over the last 15 years. RIP @FranciscoMarty_ pic.twitter.com/59G57wgLKs
— Julie Porter (@JulieBPorter) April 9, 2021
Mourning the loss of my teacher, mentor, and friend @FranciscoMarty_. He was endlessly generous with his time and graciously shared his wealth of knowledge. A consummate clinician and brilliant researcher, he made an impact for countless patients, and on our field. Devastating.
— Tyler D. Bold (@tbold) April 9, 2021
Today we lost someone truly special. He was a selfie enthusiast, chocolate connoisseur, and dear friend and mentor to myself and countless others. Thank you for all of your kindness, and all that you’ve taught me about medicine and life. We will miss you so much @FranciscoMarty_ pic.twitter.com/2fGXUOpx7C
— Kaiwen Chen (@KChenTweets) April 9, 2021
So shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of an amazing physician-scientist and overall amazing human being, @FranciscoMarty_ . He was a giant in the field of CMV and such an excellent role model.
Que descansa en paz, amigo. pic.twitter.com/usL11di1tA
— Danniel Zamora (@zamora_danniel) April 9, 2021
Thank you for all the opportunities, thank you for your immeasurable work in the field, thank you for your kindness and warm welcome to my professional life, thank you for helping me re-fall in love with my career @FranciscoMarty_ you are a true giant & I am eternally grateful pic.twitter.com/vnuUCDOUCJ
— Bei (@beizalez) April 9, 2021
The world has lost an incredible mentor, leader, physician, photographer and human being @FranciscoMarty_ and #TxID lost a giant and pioneer. 🌎 💔 😞 Thank you for everything, Francisco. This lighthouse will always be yours #RIP pic.twitter.com/3ZfMLCuuEQ
— Sara Belga, MD (@belga_sara) April 9, 2021
Devastated to hear the news about @FranciscoMarty_ an amazing clinician, fierce patient advocate and superb researcher. But above all, an amazing mentor to a generation of #TxID student and fellows.@_FranciscoMarty and his beautiful images will be missed.
RIP My friend pic.twitter.com/JPxDuY5qJA
— Steven “Wearing a Mask” Pergam, MD, MPH (@PergamIC) April 9, 2021
Dr Francisco Marty was a legend @BrighamWomens and taught me and many of my peers everything we know about complex infectious diseases. He did so with grace and humility.
This news of his passing is shocking and deeply saddening. I wish everyone had a chance to know him. https://t.co/SXCJQxVNRl
— Dr. Vin Gupta (@VinGuptaMD) April 10, 2021
Working alongside your team members regardless of your position. Prioritizing racial equity in your work. Bringing kindness, curiosity, and concern to your interactions with patients and colleagues. A few lessons I will carry from my brief time working with @FranciscoMarty_ https://t.co/M3t9xytJQW
— Ayrenne Adams, MD MPH (@AyrenneAdamsMD) April 9, 2021
Heartbroken that my dear friend and mentor #FranciscoMarty passed away after an accident in the Dominican Republic. He taught me and countless others so very much. The field of infectious diseases has lost a giant. May God rest his soul. pic.twitter.com/FvBooEVzrV
— Matthew P. Cheng (@MatthewPCheng) April 9, 2021
I lost a friend, a colleague, a mentor and what I thought would be my forever teacher. My heart grieves for his family and all of us who knew him as well as all those who won’t get to learn from him. I will forever here him say “Alyssa Rose!” in my head. 💔@FranciscoMarty_ https://t.co/ihfun8rOyf
— Alyssa “Wear a Mask” Letourneau, MD, MPH (@ARLetourneau) April 9, 2021
My best friend , mentor , photographer extraordinaire. I will miss you every day until we meet again . I will need to be very good from now on to make it to heaven where you are. Rest is peace my friend . @FranciscoMarty_ https://t.co/Dzfm3PHhOs
— Blanca E Gonzalez (@infectio01) April 9, 2021
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