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Bernard Ghelman, MD


It is with great grief and sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Bernard Ghelman, a longstanding member of the Department of Radiology & Imaging. Dr. Ghelman was a valued member of the HSS community as a clinical radiologist and educator for half a century. Dr. Ghelman started at HSS in 1969, became Emeritus Staff in 2015 and retired in 2019.

Dr. Ghelman made an impact on several generations of physicians. As an educator, Dr. Ghelman taught many hundreds of radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons musculoskeletal radiology through radiology and radiology/pathology conferences at HSS, Lenox Hill Hospital, and St. Vincent’s, as well as to the Mt. Sinai radiology residents during their rotations at Elmhurst Hospital.  At HSS, he twice won the orthopaedic surgery residents’ Teacher of the Year award.

Polio, contracted in his native Brazil, affected Dr. Ghelman physically but did little to slow him down while inspiring those with whom he interacted. His condition did not stifle a wonderful sense of humor yet fostered a creative mind that impacted his approach to interventional procedures.  He was an excellent clinician and sought-after advisor for all surgeons, rheumatologists, and pathologists who would find him running the departmental interventional services on the 4th floor.

Dr. Ghelman did his medical schooling in Sao Paolo before his internship at Mt. Sinai and his radiology residency in the VA system in New York. As commensurate with his abilities and academic status, he authored or co-authored many books, papers, posters, and presentations. However, he will be fondly remembered for making patients feel at ease, teaching generations of trainees, and being a consultant to the care of countless patients.

Dr. Ghelman’s death at 80 years old preceded that of his beloved wife, Dorothy (Dottie) by one day. He is survived by two daughters, Stephanie Sculco and Jane Citron, and five grandchildren. The oldest two are continuing his legacy as they pursue careers as physicians.

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