Dr.
James T. Goodrich, a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon who separated conjoined twins Anais and Jadon McDonald, passed away from coronavirus.
It was four years ago when the NYC doctor separated the twins at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in a 27-hour procedure.
Goodrich was described by the hospital as a ‘humble and truly caring man’ who ‘did not crave the limelight and was beloved by his colleagues and staff.’
He also used to bake cookies during holidays and gave them to nurses he worked with.
“Dr. Goodrich was a beacon of our institution and he will be truly missed. His expertise and ability were second only to his kind heart and manner,” said Montefiore Medicine CEO Dr. Philip O. Ozuah.
The hospital wrote on Twitter: “The Montefiore community is mourning the loss of Dr. James T. Goodrich, world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon.
“Dr. Goodrich passed away on March 30, 2020 from complications associated with COVID-19.”
The statement also described Dr. Goodrich as a generous teacher and mentor who shared his expertise with young surgeons.
The NYC neurosurgeon, who was director of the division of pediatric neurosurgery, spent over three decades at the Bronx Hospital.
Dr. Goodrich was also a professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatrics, and clinical neurological surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
The twins he separated were born via C-section in 2015. They shared a five-to-seven centimeter section of brain tissue as they were joined at the crown.
The surgery, which took place over October 13 and 14, 2016 and involved a 40-person surgical team, lasted 27 hours and cost $2.5 million.
Two months after the procedure, Anais and Jadon were transferred to Blythedale Children’s Hospital to start rehabilitation.
Dr. Goodrich left behind his wife and three sisters.
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Replaced!