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Thomas Rees Obituary

Thomas D. Rees
Honored Plastic Surgeon
Thomas D. Rees, MD, FACS, 86, a distinguished and widely-honored plastic surgeon who also devoted much of his life to providing his skills and extensive medical care to the people of East Africa, passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, NM, in the early evening hours of Thursday, November 14th, 2013. He follows his beloved wife, Nan, who passed away in May of 2012, his son David M. Rees, and is survived by his son Thomas D. Rees, Jr., daughter S. Elizabeth Rees, brother J. Richard Rees, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dr. Rees was born in Nephi and raised in Salt Lake City, UT, the son of University of Utah professor Don M. Rees, PhD, and Norma A. Rees, and was a second generation descendent of Mormon pioneers from the south of Wales. He graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in 1946, and an MD in 1948, and from which he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2013. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945, also served from 1957-1958, and was honorably discharged a Lt. Commander.
Dr. Rees trained in general and plastic surgery at the Genesee Hospital in Rochester, NY, and The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City, followed by a prestigious fellowship in plastic surgery at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, in Sussex, England. He was privileged to work under Sir Archibald McIndoe, a pioneering New Zealand plastic surgeon who was famous for his work on the RAF pilots largely credited with saving England in the Battle of Britain in WWII.
During his fellowship, Dr. Rees was invited by Sir Archibald to visit his ranch in Kenya. While enjoying "sundowners" together with Sir Michael Wood (another fellow under Sir Archibald and a transplant to Kenya), the three surgeons founded the Flying Doctors of East Africa in 1957.
The three founders flew into the bush to set up clinics in rural areas of East Africa to enable advanced medical care ranging from vaccinations to operating on and treating local patients with congenital deformities and other conditions requiring extensive surgery and reconstruction. Radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey donated their first plane, and through worldwide fundraising and government aid, the three surgeons created the organization now known as AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation), which has grown into Africa's largest health development NGO.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, AMREF has offices in 11 countries in North America and Europe. AMREF now employs more than 1,000 health professionals and experts, 97% African, with 90% living in the communities in which they work.
Over the past five decades, AMREF has received numerous awards for its contributions to African health development. Most recent include the Gates Award for Global Health, recognizing organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to improving global health, especially in resource-poor settings, and the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Award, the world's largest humanitarian prize given to an organization that is significantly alleviating human suffering.
Dr. Rees traveled to Africa annually and wrote a memoir about his experiences entitled Daktari: A Surgeon's Adventures with the Flying Doctors of East Africa."
Dr. Rees' contributions to the areas of plastic surgery techniques, education, and credibility cannot be overstated. He established his plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in New York City in 1957, at a time when there were only a handful of practicing plastic surgeons. With few exceptions, the field of plastic surgery was very insular in that most surgeons were fiercely protective of their techniques. Dr. Rees was only happy to open up his operating room to students, and he loved teaching and writing. He mentored thousands of fledgling plastic surgeons throughout his career; in his capacity as the Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital from 1975-1992; directing the MEETH Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship; and teaching at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of the NYU Langone Medical Center. For over 25 years, Dr. Rees organized and co-chaired an annual Symposium on Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in New York City. These symposia feature a faculty composed of surgeons of different disciplines and nationalities, and are attended by surgeons from all over the world.
Dr. Rees was a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine, Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Plastic Surgery at MEETH, as well as a past president of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and a former director and vice-chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He was a frequent lecturer at medical institutions, symposia and forums all over the world, and the author of more than 140 medical articles and six medical texts, including the two-volume Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, long the bible for surgeons in training.
Dr. Thomas Rees had many talents and interests that extended beyond medicine. He was a philanthropist, an avid fly fisherman in the west and saltwater and deep-sea fisherman in the east, a skier, at home on horseback, a jazz saxophonist who sat in with some of the best of his era. Upon retirement, he became an acclaimed sculptor in Santa Fe whose work reflected his experiences and feelings for the people, animals, and environment of Africa and his work was exhibited in 2009 at the Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe.
Dr. Rees' transformative surgical skills touched celebrities, political figures, heads of state and their families and the people of East Africa. In all of this, he was accompanied, encouraged, and supported by his adored wife Nan.
His ashes will be joined with his wife's and scattered in their beloved East Africa. A memorial service will be announced and take place within the coming months. In his memory, contributions may be made to those organizations to which he committed so much of himself.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Marin Independent Journal on Nov. 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Rees

Not sure what to say?





Di Rees-Morris

November 30, 2024

So sad to hear of his passing I am a Rees from a mining village Tumble in South Wales.He resembles our family nose &eyes.

Irene

November 20, 2024

I was a patient of Dr. Rees. In 1972, as a teenager I was in a car accident. My face got very much damaged (eyes, cheek, nose). Dr. Rees was my plastic & reconstructive surgeon. He liked me & was very sympathetic. He had my parents only pay what the insurance company agreed to pay for the operations. I appreciate him greatly for his kindness & incredible surgical skills. Good-bye Dr & rest in peace.

robert lovas

April 24, 2024

RIP Prof. Rees and thank you Dr. Robert Lovas

Carole Cannataro Olufsen

November 13, 2023

Dr Rees will be forever in my heart. I had the privilege of working for him as a nurse I'm his office on 72nd st in NYC for 16 years. It was the most wonderful and exciting time of my nursing career. His plastic surgery was exceptional so it was amazing to see the results of both his reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Additionally, he was a fun, caring and kind human being . I will forever thank him for hiring me away from my OR nurse job at NYU Medical Center. Love you Tom Rees.

Carole Cannataro Olufsen

November 13, 2021

It was my honor and privilege to work for Dr. Rees as a nurse in his prestigious office in New York City. I will always have fond memories of those amazing years. It was a highlight of my years as a nurse and I thank Dr. Rees for that opportunity. May this dear man rest in peace for all that he contributed to the world and to plastic surgery.

Carole C. Olufsen

November 14, 2020

Dr. Tom Rees, for whom I worked as a nurse in his New York City office, was a wonderful human being in so many ways. I was privileged to be a part of his office from 1965-1981. I will always cherish the memories of those years and all that I learned about plastic surgery from one of the masters. Rest In Peace, you will always be missed.
Carole Cannataro Olufsen, RN

Wendy Schuman

November 21, 2013

In 1965 Dr. Rees performed emergency plastic surgery on my face when, having been severely bitten by a dog, I was was brought into Manhattan Eye & Ear Hospital. I was 17 years old. I will never forget this kind, compassionate man who restored my face and my life. I went back to college, returned for another successful graft in the summer. I will always be profoundly grateful to Dr. Rees. I didn't know until now about his work in Africa. What a remarkable person who had such a positive impact on the world! My sincere condolences to his family.

November 20, 2013

I have fond memories of hunting and fishing with Tom when we were teenagers.
He was always a Gentleman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Bob and Janice Ault Mt. Pleasant Ut.

Foad Nahai

November 20, 2013

A gentleman, a mentor, a contributor ,a humanitarian,compasionate doctor and great surgeon. He will be missed but his legacy lives on through those he mentored

Sandra Sledz

November 19, 2013

I also worked for Dr Reesas a nurse from 1969 to 1989. It was through him that I developed my love for Africa. He was a wonderful,generous,loving man who gave so much to the world and will be missed by many. I love you and will never forget you TDR.

Carole Cannataro Olufsen

November 19, 2013

I was privileged to have worked in Tom Rees' office as a nurse from 1965 to 1981. He was truly an artist in his work, always a gentleman, so interesting and kind to his staff. I treasure my memories of those very special days. He and Nan were a wonderful couple loved by many and will never be forgotten.

November 19, 2013

TOM BRIGHTENED THE WORLD HE LIVED IN AND MADE IT A MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE. HE AND NAN WERE VERY VERY SPECIAL TO MY DON AND TO ME. THEY WILL BE ALWAYS REMEMBERED WITH LOVE. SUSAN MEREDITH

Stephanie Spaulding

November 19, 2013

As a child growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, with my sisters, we knew of the Flying Doctors. They were our heroes.
Thank you, Dr. Rees.

Dr Rees and Nan Rees filming "their story" with other AMREF board members, Bob Lilly Bruce Bodner, Christine Grogan

christine grogan

November 19, 2013

Dr Rees and Nan Rees were the most amazing people I have ever met. They gave their entire lives to helping others... Now they are reunited.

Francine Leinhardt

November 19, 2013

Tom Rees was a dear friend and mentor. Together we established the New York Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium which still exists today. He will be sorely missed.

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