Daniel M. Caruso

Caruso, Daniel M.
On Friday, August 25, 2017, Dr. Daniel Caruso lost a determined, fourteen-month battle with cancer. He was 53. Dan was born December 23, 1963 in Dearborn, Michigan to the late Canava Caruso and Grace (Natoli) Caruso. Dan graduated Ionia High School and Kalamazoo College, playing football at both. After a high school teacher challenged him to use his scholastic talents in medicine, Dan became driven to become a physician, specifically a surgeon. He completed medical school at Wayne State University and matched with Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix to begin a surgical residency in 1992. Following residency, Dan was accepted into a trauma/critical care fellowship at UC Davis; he then returned to Maricopa Medical Center to begin his career as an attending surgeon in 1998 with District Medical Group (formerly MedPro). It was at Maricopa Medical Center where he practiced until his death. As Director of The Arizona Burn Center from 1998-2012, Dan – with his partners and staff – built a nationally verified and recognized Burn Center in Phoenix. They grew to be the second largest burn center by volume in the nation and continue to be leaders in the national burn community. In 2006 Dan became DMG Chairman of the Department of Surgery, and over the past decade continued to flourish as a leader. His department has a strong and solid foundation, built by Dan's passion, loyalty and drive. His devoted team is unparalleled in today's workplace. Dan became a patient himself multiple times over the past 15 years, and he used his experiences to develop and teach compassion in his staff and residents. He challenged them to look at the medical care they provide through the eyes of a patient. He was a humble man yet fearless, loyal and dedicated. A strong patient advocate inside and outside the hospital, Dan recently became Board Member Emeritus of the Arizona Burn Foundation after many years of devoted service. The many awards and achievements bestowed upon Dan during his lifetime do not compare to the love and pride he had for his family, who always came first. Along with his mother Grace, Dan is survived by his wife, Diane to whom he was devoted; son Daniel Caruso II; stepdaughters Lindy (Jeremy) Smith and Anna (Dan) Anderson; stepsons Zachary (Tess) Kreisheimer and Joey Kreisheimer, brother Michael Caruso III and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was Nonno to his much-loved grandson Deegan and was eagerly awaiting his three grandsons that will arrive this fall. He also was "dad" to his three beautiful pups – Vito, Vienna and Vinnie. Dan's legacy will live on through his family, friends, staff and patients. He will be missed more than can be described. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to City of Hope Cancer Research Center, Singh/Williams Research via the website www.bobkgolf.com OR The Arizona Burn Foundation, auburn.org/donation-page or by phone to Allie @602-230-2041x101. Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, September 5th at 1 p.m. at Cornerstone – Chandler Campus, 1595 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ. Burial will be private. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary, Scottsdale, AZ.