Dr. Ralph L. Sacco M.D.

1957 - 2023

Sacco, M.D., Dr. Ralph L., - 65, of Margate, "If you are going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that cannot be erased" (Maya Angelou). Dr. Ralph L. Sacco, M.D. age 65, first born son of Anthony and the late Annette Sacco, passed away peacefully on January 17th while surrounded by his family. Ralph leaves behind his devoted husband of 22 years, Scott Dutcher; his loving father, Anthony Sacco (Rosemary); sisters Bess Sacco-Varsalona, Esq. (Pete); Al Sacco (Nellie); Amie Sykes (Ray); and his sister and caregiver,Tina Sacco-Roche (Jack). He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who adored him. Ralph, appointed in 2007 as the Olemberg Family Chair in Neurological Disorders and professor of neurology, public health sciences, human genetics, and neurosurgery at the University of Miami, was born and raised in Margate City. He graduated with honors from Holy Spirit High School, Cornell University and Boston University School of Medicine. He completed his medical training at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, where he later founded the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study. He became one of the leading pioneers and experts in stroke research. Ralph's accomplishments and achievements were many including being selected as the first neurologist to serve as the President of the American Heart Association (2010-2011), and the only neurologist to also serve as the President of the American Academy of Neurology (2017-2019). In addition, he took on myriad leadership roles, including: the executive director of the Evelyn McKnight Brain Institute, a professor at Miami's Miller School of Medicine, the chief of neurology service at Jackson Memorial Hospital, a worldwide stroke lecturer, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, Stroke. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Ralph published over 1,000 articles on stroke research. On a personal level, Ralph's greatest passions included spending time with his family and his dog Sofi, boating, traveling with family and lifetime friends and designing and renovating new homes in Miami, Florida and Long Island, NY. He had an unabated interest and talent in architectural design. He successfully designed several signature homes in the Venetian Islands, Miami Beach and East Hampton, New York. Without a doubt, Ralph's legacy and influence will live on--not only in the medical field--but in the hearts of his loved ones. Ralph's genuine, unassuming nature touched the lives of everyone he met. His family and friends were blessed to share so many beautiful memories with him, even throughout the past, difficult year. To honor Ralph, a Celebration of Life ceremony for family and friends will be held at a future date. Donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the American Academy of Neurology Institute (https://www.aan.com/about-the-aan/in-memoriam-ralph-sacco) or the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/remembering-doctor-ralph-sacco).