Michel A. Ghattas

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Michel A. Ghattas on July 1, 2025 at the age of 89. Michel was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Michel was born on February 12, 1936 in Cairo, Egypt. He was the youngest child in the family with five older sisters. He graduated from Ain Shams University Medical School in 1959. Michel dedicated his life to his family and the practice of medicine. In 1972, in a move which forever altered his personal and professional life, he left Egypt and came to the United States with his wife and son and, at the age of 36, reinvented his medical career.
Michel practiced medicine with diligence and commitment, beginning at Barberton Citizens Hospital in Ohio, then Huron Road Hospital where he was the Chief Anesthesia Resident, Akron Children's Hospital and, finally, his beloved Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He began his career at the Cleveland Clinic as a Clinical Fellow in 1975 and retired in 2003 as the Chairman of the Division of Anesthesiology at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
The Cleveland Clinic was his family. He loved the work, was committed to his colleagues and, above all, was devoted to his patients. Their care was his primary motivation. He also enjoyed research and publication. He amassed a respectable bibliography by the end of his career.
As busy as he was, Michel always found time to have dinner with his family and play tennis with his son every night during the summertime. Early on in his life, he enjoyed smoking his favorite pipe. He was obsessed with reading and learning, working his way through history books and biographies. Michel loved to ride his bike, especially with his young grandson and he enjoyed a relaxing game of backgammon with is daughter-in-law. He could also be found gazing at sunsets on his favorite beach in South Carolina.
Michel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beatrice of Fort Lauderdale, his son Carl (Ann) of Virginia and his grandson who was named in his honor, Michael of Savannah, Georgia.
Michel's legacy of courage, dedication and commitment will live on through the actions of those he loved and mentored. He taught an entire generation how to hone their craft and how to be kind, respectful and decent.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at 10:00am at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 820 NE 14th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Mass will begin at 11:00am. A burial service will be at held at 12:30pm Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.