Saturday, June 24, 2023
My sincere and hearfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and countless trainees whose lives were touched by Dr. Sales.
There are some teachers whose impact extends far beyond the academic syllabus, or in our case, the surgical procedures. They not only train us in our craft but shape us as individuals. They build our character, sculpting us to be the best version of ourselves. Dr. Jack Sales was one such individual. He was not just a mentor; he was an architect of character, a moulder of minds, and a guardian of the sanctity of our noble profession.Dr. Sales was a stalwart in the field of urology, and his contributions to St. Joseph's hospital and the entire Canadian medical landscape cannot be understated. His professional life was dedicated to cultivating a cadre of competent, confident, and compassionate urologists. He instilled in us the importance of precision, patience, and perseverance. His famous sayings, like "If you do everything twice, the operation takes you twice as long" or "This is how airplane crashes happen," were not just witty remarks. They were profound principles that resonated with the ethos of surgical discipline and vigilance. They were his unique way of encapsulating complex concepts into simple, memorable nuggets of wisdom.
His philosophy was not about making things easy for us. Instead, he preferred to make us strong. He was hard on us because he cared. He believed that this was the path to excellence and to preserving the highest standards of patient care. But while he was stringent with us in the training rooms, he was our fiercest advocate outside of them. He had an unwavering belief in our capabilities, and he made sure that we knew it.The last operation I performed under his watchful eye, a seemingly simple circumcision on a child, was a testament to his commitment to teaching. He emphasized that even the simplest procedures deserved our utmost respect and demanded our highest skill. He watched me quietly, his presence felt more than seen. When I finished, he whispered, "I think I have died and gone to heaven." It was at that moment I realized I had graduated from being a trainee to a urologist, ready to take on the world.
As I ventured into my community practice, I always found myself asking, "What would Dr. Sales do?" It was a compass that guided me through the most challenging decisions and intricate surgeries. And it's a habit that remains with me today.Dr. Sales, you have left an indelible mark on my life, one that I humbly try to pass on to the younger generations of urologists. Today, as I pay tribute to you, I know that the best way to honor you is by living up to the high standards you set and by continuing to carry forward the torch of knowledge, skill, and integrity you have passed on to us.
I extend my deepest condolences to his family. The loss is profound and the void irreplaceable. Dr. Sales was more than just a surgeon; he was a visionary, a mentor, and a friend. He was a beacon of light in the vast world of urology and his legacy will continue to illuminate our path for generations to come. May his soul rest in peace.
Raj and Gwen Singh
Dayton, OH, USA
