12/22/2025
A Tribute to the Man Who Saved My Dream: Dr. Edward Abraham
I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Dr. Edward Abraham, the former Orthopedic Chairman at UIC. To the world, he was a brilliant surgeon and leader. To me, he was a savior.
In 2001, I was at a crossroads. I was attempting to transfer out of a residency program at LSU that was toxic and overtly racist. I was told explicitly by leadership there that “people of my kind” didn’t belong. The program had lost many of its excellent surgeons due to the toxic environment. As I tried to find a new home, that same leadership bad-mouthed me to every program I applied to, ensuring rejection after rejection.
Then came Dr. Abraham at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He looked at my application, looked past the rumors, and looked me in the eye. He told me, “Despite everyone telling me not to take you, I’m going to give you a chance.”
He didn’t just give me a residency spot; he gave me my life back. He taught me, protected me, and allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Years later, at my graduation, I expected to thank him profusely. Instead, he walked up to me and said, “Thank you for making me proud; you were such an excellent resident.”
That was the kind of man he was. Humble, fair, and incredibly kind.
Because of him ultimately many of my amazing mentors from the residency program, took me in and treated me with compassion and fairness, and allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon for which I am indebted to all of them as well  You’re all a reason I am where I am 
For years afterward, whenever I saw him at the annual Orthopedic Academy meetings, he would greet me with a warm hug and look at me with such pride.  And always kept telling me you made me look good and we’re so proud of your accomplishments.
Dr. Abraham, I am indebted to you forever. Thank you for betting on me when no one else would. Rest in peace, mentor.
