In Memoriam: Dr. Paul L. Cohen, 1968-2014
Tributes from Colleagues
Paul,
You have been my teacher, my partner, my friend. You changed my life forever. You are a large part of the reason I came to Cincinnati (according to you the only reason), where I learned to be a neurosurgeon, where I met my wife, and where I now call home. I know that my life is better because of you in so many ways. I will miss our daily phone calls, discussing cases with you, operating with you. I will miss hearing about your “Modern Family” episodes with the kids, but don’t worry I won’t tell Stefanie. I don’t know who will help me setup my iPad, iPhone, and computer. You have made me a better doctor, surgeon, and person. You will be missed by so many people, but not forgotten. I will keep you in my heart, a part of me the rest of my life. I will surely miss you Sparky.
–Chris McPherson, MD
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Paul and I first met on the interview trail applying for neurosurgical residency. We had just finished our interviews at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and it was something like -20 degrees outside. I was thinking I’d go back to my hotel and just hang out until my plane left in the morning. Paul, whom I had just met and despite the frigid weather, convinced me otherwise. As much as is possible in Rochester, MN, we went “out on the town” and had much too good of a time. So much so, that the night became legend amongst other potential candidates for the rest of the interview season and Paul and I fast became great friends. Match day came and, of course, we matched together at The University of Cincinnati. In an age without cell phones, I went home that night and played back my one message for the day. It was Paul, congratulating me on matching at UC and expressing how excited he was that we had matched together.
Paul had an uncanny ability to connect with others. I never knew him to be mad or angry, and he always saw the good in people. Almost as a matter of instinct, he forever looked for ways to connect with others. He made me laugh and he was my friend.
-Bob Bohinski, MD
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Our dear friend and colleague, Paul, will be so sorely missed. A great friend, a voice of humor who always shared a unique perspective, he was many things to many people. Daddy to his three beautiful children, husband and true partner to Stefanie, caring provider to his patients, “Sparky” to his technologically challenged co-residents, and lover of the mountain air. Or was it the altitude? Who can remember? Paul always made every situation and every event more fun and more interesting, at work and at play. We will all miss him. So very much. I’m just glad to have known him.
– Andrew J. Ringer, MD
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In the summer of 1996, our lives were enriched by the arrival in Cincinnati of Paul and Steffie Cohen. We were very excited to have not one but two brilliant recruits from Johns Hopkins, Paul, a resident in neurosurgery and Steffie a visionary in the new field of Integrative Medicine.
Soon, Paul became Sparky and our technology was changed forever. No longer a luddite, I acquired my first computer and with Paul’s patience learned to discard the trays of slides.
Petrosectomy, Clinoidectomy, and image guidance were easy ventures for Sparky.
Like all residents he taught me things that I needed to know every day including which finger to point.
We all bonded with Steffie and Sparky as children came and were loved, cried when they went to Virginia and rejoiced when they rejoined to our family.
Most of you remember that Paul and Bob gave me my first ski helmet at their graduation in 2002. I still wear it and always will wear it with love and appreciation.
-John M. Tew, Jr., MD
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Paul was the consummate example of a highly skilled physician who maintained balance in his life. He consistently provided outstanding personalized patient care in a technically demanding specialty, and still found time and energy to be a dedicated father to his 3 children and loving husband to his wife Stefanie.”
– Art Arand, MD
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This is a cruel twist of fate for Paul, his wife and beautiful children. We will never understand why this happened. We do know what a wonderful person Paul was, how upbeat he always was. He was simply fun to be around. We know that his integrity was impeccable and that he was so devoted to his wife and children. It was a pleasure and privilege to have him in our Mayfield family.
– Bill Tobler, MD
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Dr. Paul Cohen was one of the most thoughtful, caring surgeons I have ever known. He was dedicated to his family and his patients, truly caring about those around him and improving their lives. Our community has lost a great man. I will miss Paul.
– Charles Kuntz, IV, MD
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Tuesday mornings at the ASC were made more enjoyable by Paul’s presence. I looked forward to seeing him each week. His ironic sense of humor was appreciated by many of us. Paul was both colleague and friend with whom I could discuss work, cases, family, or nothing at all. He was ever willing to provide common sense advice when I needed another perspective on any thing from patients to my children’s sports. I will miss Paul Cohen, we all will miss him.
– Steve Bailey, MD
Loved by his patients
Dr. Cohen is cherished by his patients. In fact, he receives letters from grateful patients nearly every week. Here are a few excerpts from the many letters he has received during his career:
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for the work you did to get my back strong, supported and healthy … I know my quality of life will continue to improve. What a great opportunity you made possible for me: to live more fully and enjoy more deeply without the constant worry of pain management and placing so many limits on my life. Thank you for setting me free.”–LH
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“By the time you receive this, I will have checked in for my first duty station with the Marine Corps. Thank you for doing a great job with the surgery.” –AR
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“I have seen other doctors. You were attentive, kind, thorough, and thoughtful. Physicians of your caliber are rare, Dr. Cohen.” –MW
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“You have rendered me pain-free by removing the unnecessary and opening my body to goodness. You carve with your scalpel as a master sculptor finesses a block of marble with similar tools. You are an artist of the highest level. You have taken what you were given and made it better.” –MC
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“I want to personally thank you for giving your time to take care of my misery. I know you understand the excruciating pain your patients go through. It was very considerate of you to get me in on a Sunday (a family day). I really appreciate your dedication.” –HVH
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“Dr. Paul Cohen gave me my life back. I was always athletic, but I can’t recall ever feeling this strong and great about my body. I made a great choice with Mayfield.” –BR
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