Sean Patrick Elliott

I think of Sean all the time. I miss his leadership, his joy, his jokes, his stories, his presence in the office. While I am often sad to miss him I feel great joy in having known him. I'm so glad that I joined his team at TMC and that we worked together daily.

I stumbled over an announcement in the P&S magazine and it brushed off the cobwebs. I wasn't sure, but I thought that I remembered Sean from the BHP days at Columbia, but I found this page on a search.
Fond memories became more clear when I read about Sean and Kim meeting in our little theater group.
My warm sympathy goes out to Kim and Meghan and the rest of the Elliot family.
Mark Rosing

Back in 2005, our 3 yr old daughter was suddenly very ill. She was running a high fever and every time we took her in to be seen for medical care, no one could diagnose her. Dr. Sean Elliott came in and immediately figured it out. I credit him with saving her life and she is know a healthy adult. He was the only one that gave me hope through our daughter's ordeal. My condolences to his family for their loss. I want to thank them for their sacrifice of time with Sean. I know we needed a lot of his time and I believe that countless other families needed him just as much if not more. He really helped save my daughter's life. Forever grateful.

Dr Elliott was instrumental in helping my daughter save her port for her daily infusions that are needed. He was our hero! As soon as the nurses found out Dr Elliott was on the team caring for my daughter, she became a VIP. It was evident he was well loved by the staff at TMC. He will be so missed. We are saddened to hear of his passing. The world needs more doctors like him!

Dr. Elliott always had a kind word, a smile on his face, and something funny to say.

I met Sean at the college freshman orientation for our daughters several years ago. While I didn´t get to know him well, he was the rare guy whom I liked from the get go. I remember us four parents bumping into each other at event after event, and enjoying Sean and Kim´s company. I was struck by how down to earth and genuinely nice he was. He will be missed.

When I was in nursing school, Dr. Elliott led a day of interprofessional learning involving grad students from all the different health sciences departments at the UA. Nursing school seems like a blur to me nowadays, but that day for sure stayed with me as the most engaging and fun day thanks to Dr. Elliott´s enthusiasm and energy. Side note- I was teacher before I became a nurse, therefore, being in the presence of Dr. Elliott that day I was able to thoroughly appreciate his charisma for teaching and engaging adult learners. Fast forward to earlier this year; I was completing a brief seasonal contract in the ED at TMC in March and somewhere along the endless hallways and the stress of a busy shift, I bumped into Dr. Elliott which was quite a surprise. I didn´t know he was working at TMC since I had often seen him at Banner over the first few years of my nursing career. I remember being surprised, then smiling under my mask. He was the first one to greet me as we passed by each other and I was able to say a quick but happy "hi, how are you, Dr. Elliott", then kept walking and immediately thought, ugh, I wish I had time to go tell him how much I enjoyed that interprofessionalism day he taught when I was in nursing school. My next thought was, oh well, I´m sure I´ll see him again either here (TMC) or at Banner and next time I´ll make sure to stop and tell him. I am so sad there won´t be a next time. Having worked in the ED most of my nursing career I know nothing is guaranteed and I should have known better but to stop, turn around, and go thank him for being part of one of my most memorable nursing school experiences. At the same time, I am so glad I got to meet him and learn from him. I can´t imagine how terribly missed he is by his family, friends, students, and coworkers. May he always be remembered for who he was; a wonderful human, teacher, and doctor.

I first saw Sean when he came to interview for a position at the University of Arizona Department of Pediatrics. He was soon hired and ID shared adjacent office space with the Residency Program. And the rest was history. He was amazing and will definitely leave a big loss behind.

Meeting him at UCC as a 5-6 year old; he was the father of my best friend in Sunday school, Meghan Elliott

Smiling eyes and greatest bowties , soulful, knowledgeable, one of a kind. You will be greatly missed by all , speaking on behalf of all us pediatric nurses , you were always will always be,,one of our absolute favorites !! A Doc Sean the guitarist moment, October 14th, 2018 . Children´s Memorial at UMC/Banner .

Sean helped me so much when I was in the hospital for a week with my brain thing in 2007. He popped in to see me every day. He tried to help us to try and understand what was happening, and what could be the plan of action.

Loved watching and playing with him in the church band! A gentle soul That I will miss.

I've been friends with Sean's daughter, Meghan, for many years, and Sean, like all of the Elliotts, was always so incredibly warm and kind. Not only did he always fill his family home with joyful and welcoming energy, but Sean and Kim also packed my cello into their car and drove it across the country (!) from Tucson to Chicago when I was in college together with Meghan. Whenever I saw Sean, he always had a smile and asked me thoughtful questions about what and how I was doing.

Sean was also my calm and reassuring go-to hotline, through Meghan, every time I thought I might need to go to the hospital but wasn't quite sure. Once, I hit my head really hard on a rock while I was exploring alone in another country, and I was worried I might have a concussion, but Sean's long-distance reassurance that I would be fine as long as I didn't have "the worst headache of my life" helped me calm down and avoid an international incident. I trusted his opinions absolutely.

Sean's kindness and warmth, and the way he dedicated his life to his family, and to healing and helping others, makes me feel better about the world. He was an extremely rare sort of person who will be sorely missed.

When my dad passed away, Sean stepped in to be that person in my life. He encouraged me, and always listened. He´ll always be that to me.

Sean was my most memorable interview in medical school as I was applying for pediatric residency. He wore a Simpsons tie and it was a sign that I was destined for Tucson. I have loved him ever since. Thank you, Sean for being a role model, a mentor, a GENIUS, and a friend. I cannot imagine Tucson or the U of A without you.

Meeting us at Parker Lake and playing guitar for the girls was my favorite memory of Sean! He was a real trooper to be the only male among a crew of boisterous growing females with strong personalities! and mothers . Thank you Sean....thank you Kim and Megan

He was always smiling. He continuously taught me during my career but it never felt like a lecture, more like friends discussing science.

The THMEP office has been hosting our annual Halloween pumpkin carving tradition for several years. Participants include residents from various departments, including podiatry, pediatrics, transitional, internal medicine, and much more. Each team competes in the pumpkin carving contest for bragging rights. Dr. Elliott was always one of the judges who could not be bribed with cafeteria foods (yum), candies or bow ties! He was the epitome of integrity, fairness and generosity. He would take the time to joke with anyone around him and give words of encouragement! It was never about him as he was always ready to give a listening ear. He will greatly be missed for his warm smile, cool bow ties, and love for people! Thank you for the amazing memories. We will miss you immensely!

I remember I was asked to write up the announcement to our department that Dr. Sean Elliott was starting in the role of Director of Research, Scholarship & Quality Improvement at TMC Health Medical Education Program (formerly called Tucson Hospitals Medical Education Program) right when COVID was gaining its grip on the Tucson community. I didn't know much about him, but I quickly learned of Sean's achievements and accolades. I was thoroughly impressed with Sean and privileged to have an office next to his. When I would come in early in the morning sometimes, I'd share my BOGO breakfast sandwich since Sean would often be there working on something. He'd say, "Sure! If you're not going to eat it!" We'd have serious conversations and silly ones. He was a practical joker at the right times when you needed a laugh, and a font of wisdom and knowledge when that was your need. He was a people person and all who crossed his path looked up to him. When I called him Dr. Elliott, he'd say, "What's this Dr. Elliott business? Call me Sean." He was a stellar pediatric infectious disease specialist and a wonderful colleague and friend. I can honestly say I'm a better person for having met Sean Elliott. I regret I have no photos of us. Vaya con Dios, Sean.

Warm greetings upon joining the Department of Pediatrics at U of A. Loves his bow ties and smiles

Sean, Kim and Meghan with Ricky Howe, Ange Howe and Bobbi Nidzgorski as balloon handlers on the Red Power Ranger Balloon in the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nearly 4 Million people watched the parade from the streets of New York City, with about 30 Million viewers on TV.

Sean was a pediatrician's pediatrician. We all looked up to him. He had a deep knowledge of pediatric medicine and the wisdom and humanity to always apply and share his knowledge toward the best health outcomes of countless young patients in our Southern AZ community with the profound gratitude of their parents and loved ones. I know that his many professional colleagues and students of medicine and nursing will strive to carry on his mission of care. He made such a difference in the professional and personal lives of so many of us. His big heart and big shoes can never be filled, but we will do our best to carry on, always thinking of him and sharing the profound grief of his family who shaped, supported and nurtured him.

Sean Elliott is a huge part of why I am in Tucson. On interview day for residency I had a large gap between my interviews so Sean walked me around Banner-UMC and we just chatted about normal life things. He was so kind and personable, he made me feel right at home.
And once I was in residency he was still so approachable and cared about the residents as people. He took the time to check-in with us and really ask how we were doing. He also had so much knowledge to share with us... you could never exclude rat bite fever or coccidioidomycosis from the differential.
Even as an attending I had the pleasure of running into him at TMC or consulting him about patients in clinic. I will always remember his mischievous smile as he often joked. I will miss seeing him in the halls and hearing his friendly greeting.
My condolences to his family in this difficult time.

If there were ever a man who managed to perfect the fine arts of both professionalism and mischief, it was Dr. Elliott. Every resident looked forward to when he would come around to gossip and talk smack, and then with equal gusto he would share his endless clinical knowledge.
He will be greatly missed as a teacher, fellow miscreant, and role model.

Pictured: 1. That time Dr. Elliott egged the charge nurse on to sneak a picture during rounds of multiple team members all wearing the same outfit. 2. Dr. Elliott with his surprise unicorn birthday balloon attached to his belt, which accompanied him all day to consults.

Dr. Elliott was the kindest doctor I worked with while on my pediatrics rotation at TMC. It was my first rotation of my third year of medical school, and my first rotation at a hospital. I was so nervous and felt like I knew nothing. Although I wasn´t assigned to him, Dr. Elliott would sit down with me every day and answer any questions I had. He would also let me join in with his residents on their rounds in the morning, and let me stay with him when he talked to patients so I could learn more about both his thought process, and how he balanced delivering important information, while also reassuring families and keeping the kiddos happy. I will always appreciate this experience I had with him that gave me confidence moving into my other rotations. Whenever I´d come across Dr. Elliott zipping through the hallways at TMC, he´d always have time to stop and say hi and catch up. My class just graduated this May, and we all have such good memories with Dr. Elliott and credit him for helping us on our journeys. His legacy will live on through the future doctors he helped train!

Knowing and working with Sean for the past year was always one of the highlights whenever I was on service. On top of being an immensely experienced and an excellent clinican, he was incredibly generous with his time, and his kindness always shone through every interaction. I will always remember him - he will be missed by so many, and TMC will not be the same without him. My condolances go out to everyone who knew him, and especially to his family in this difficult time.

I knew Sean because we lived in the same dorm in college and I admired his generous and solid character. There´s a particular memory that I associate with Sean. One day I decided I had to go on a run. Maybe not the best decision: it was late and the neighborhood wasn´t the safest. Sean joined me without hesitation and we had a great run. It was many years ago but my heart hurts about this loss and I send my deepest condolences to his family.

I remember Sean from high school. And while we weren´t really in the same circles we were friends. Sean became a legend to many of us, as he was suspended for three days from school for Public Display of Affection with his girlfriend. They kissed in the hallway. I am so impressed with Sean´s achievements , I never saw him after graduation. And while he achieved so much, I remember him for this funny story. I hope it made you smile. My condolences on your loss.
RIP Sean

When I was starting to build a new Bachelors of Science in Respiratory Therapy, Sean helped me not only choose the book for an infectious disease class, but he helped me with topics and objectives to use. I had many compliments about that course from the students and the instructors that taught that course for me.