Ernest Mazzaferri Sr., M.D., MACP Sept. 27, 1936-May 14, 2013 Ernest Louis Mazzaferri Sr., M.D., MACP, of Henderson, was born Sept. 27, 1936, in Cleveland, the only child to Nettie and Joe Mazzaferri. Ernie passed away peacefully at home May 14, 2013, surrounded by his family. After a romance that began in the ninth grade, Ernie married his best friend, lover and lifelong partner, Florence Marolt, Nov. 23, 1957. Their 55-year marriage produced four beautiful children, Patricia Atchison (Jim, DO) of Oak Park, Ill., Mike Mazzaferri (Denise) of Reno, Sharon Brown (Ray) of Las Vegas, and Ernest Mazzaferri Jr., M.D. (Laura) of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Carolyn Knopfle (Ryan), TJ and Julianne Atchison, Ally and John Mazzaferri, Crystal Aichele-Fauls and Justine Aichele, Taylor Quienalty, Ray III, Joseph and Olivia Brown, and Amanda, Ryan and Christopher Mazzaferri; and six great-grandchildren, Emily Knopfle, Adley Uranga, Jayden and Aunika Fauls, and Josuha and Jakob Aichele. He also leaves behind his adored sister-in-law, Joanne Nagy, and her family.

In 1958, he graduated from John Carroll University, cum laude, with a B.S. in biology and continued on to earn his M.D. at The Ohio State University in 1962. He proudly served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-66, and as a lieutenant colonel from 1970-72. He dutifully served his country, on active duty status, during Desert Storm as a colonel at Madigan Army Medical Center in Seattle. His military career concluded with the Meritorious Service Medal in 1991. Professor Mazzaferri spent most of his medical career at The Ohio State University, serving as division director of endocrinology from 1974-78, then chairman of internal medicine from 1984-1999, during which time the Department of Medicine grew five-fold. From 1978-1984, he was chairman of internal medicine at the University of Nevada-Reno, serving as acting dean from 1979-81. He published more than 160 peer reviewed articles, wrote more than 150 medical editorials, case studies, and abstracts, and edited or co-authored 53 medical text books. At the peak of his academic career, he was generally regarded as one of the world's experts on thyroid cancer, and was an active participant in writing the American and European Guidelines for this disease. He won the prestigious Paul Starr Award from the American Thyroid Association in 2009 for his fundamental contributions to improving the care of patients with this form of cancer. Ohio State became a world-class center for the study of thyroid disease under his leadership. He was elected as a master in the American College of Physicians in 1996, served as chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine Endocrinology and Diabetes section, and was a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Board of Directors from 1999-2003. In 1990, he was appointed membership in the prestigious American Clinical and Climatological Association, served as president of the American Thyroid Association in 2005-06, and was a Committee or Panel Member on several occasions for the National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine. His awards from the medical community are too numerous to list; however, he felt great pride from his awards for teaching and patient care, as well as The Ohio State University Distinguished Service Award in 2009. Above all of his accomplishments in medicine, Dr. Mazzaferri was most proud of the thousands of students, interns, residents, and fellows that he mentored throughout his illustrious career.

The family would like to express its gratitude for the many forms of condolence it has received during this difficult time. A private family memorial service for Dr. Mazzaferri will be held at a later date. As a special request, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Ohio State University, Division of Endocrinology, Ernest L. Mazzaferri Sr., M.D. Thyroid Fund, 1581 Dodd Drive, McCampbell Hall 5th Floor, Columbus, OH 43210 or "Keep Memory Alive" Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106.