Al Romanosky, MD, PhD

I learned this week that a colleague, Dr. Al Romanosky had passed away. It was a significant loss, not just for me, but for the people of Maryland and public health as a practice of medicine in general. Al dedicated his professional life to public service. He understood that in public health one has the chance to positively influence the lives of thousands of patients and people with a single act. That is what makes it unique to all other forms of medical practice. Done right, it is no less personal an application than treating a single patient.

Al knew that.

He dedicated his talents, and his spirit. That is no small thing, but then nothing about Al was small. He was a big person in both a physical sense but also in presence. He had a big booming voice that was nature’s way of serving notice to those that met him that with Al, they would get nothing in half measure. His energies and vigor in his work were extraordinary. That he is no longer with us is a sad reminder that all good things come to an end. That said, the work he did and its legacy for Maryland won’t. There is an inertia created by certain lives that carries over to benefit of subsequent generations. Such was it with Al. I used to say, on behalf of all those people who will never know our names, thank you very much.

Al warrants a great deal of that thanks.