Michael Allen Yanik

YANIK Michael Allen June 24, 1948-Aug. 8, 2011 Michael A. Yanik, respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Director of the Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center Burn Unit, known for his intellect, gutsiness and insistence on giving best efforts, died on August 8, 2011. He skillfully guided staff and provided superb judgment and regard for patients and their care. He gained a reputation as an expert for the care of "against the odds" burn and trauma patients as well as individuals coping with serious cancer challenges. He was a specialist in traumatic, facial and hand reconstruction as well as an accomplished cosmetic surgeon. He was a loving husband and father, an icon, his own original man, a dedicated physician and a health care provider who inspired many. His expertise, friendship, kindness and enormous presence will be greatly missed. Dr. Yanik was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 24, 1948 to a carpenter and homemaker, Frank and Jane (Byers) Yanik. The oldest of five siblings, he learned from his parents unparalleled integrity, quiet generosity, a healthy work ethic and a desire to succeed. He lived his life saying little about his accomplishments, doing much for others and holding high standards for everything he did and for the people who worked with him. He was a reserved, private, intelligent man demanding much of himself and expecting best efforts in everything he approached. He truly loved his profession and took his work very seriously. He understood power and the exercise of it, but his efforts were always directed to do good for his family, patients, working colleagues and staff. His connection to people, co-workers, and staff was exceptional and his message was to do the right thing in all circumstances. He left an indelible mark on the medical community in Toledo and beyond. He was a man of accomplishment, but modest about his outreach and influence. His stewardship of the medical residency program in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, where he served as a role model and teacher to many residents and students, was an example of inspiration to all who met and knew him. His willingness to share his knowledge, to guide and to train others was very much appreciated by those whom he mentored. He lived and professed the right values and did everything possible to keep those in his care alive and bring them back to a healthy, productive life. As a young man he attended Padua Franciscan High School in Parma where he participated in Junior Achievement, tennis, swimming, and debate. He maintained a paper route during his high school years and worked as a life guard at city pools. His pre-med education was completed at Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry and Math. He received recognition for taking every Chemistry course that was offered at the institution. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1974 and continued in a General Surgery internship and residency with the St. Louis University Hospitals serving at St. Louis University Hospital, Firmin Desloge, Cardinal Glennon, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Louis City Hospital and John Cochran V.A. Hospital. After completing five years of training in St. Louis, he was certified as a general surgeon, and continued his training in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program with the John C. Kelleher group (Northwest Ohio Plastic Surgeons) affiliated with Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio. He completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery training in 1981 and joined the group from which he had received his training. That group later became the present Arrowhead Plastic Surgeons. He had staff privileges at most of the area hospitals, including St. Vincent Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Medical College of Ohio Hospital, Riverside Hospital, St. Charles Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, and The Toledo Hospital. His main practice was at St. Vincent Medical Center now Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. Dr. Yanik took the initiative to launch the first tissue bank in the area, initially to assist with pediatric burns. When the program first began, Dr. Yanik and two nurses visited other established tissue banks to learn what was needed to start a tissue bank at St. Vincent's. He gathered information about requirements and equipment and volunteered many hours initiating and building the program. His generous volunteer efforts with this endeavor touched many lives. Dr. Yanik volunteered much of his time to see patients in the clinics. He was also sought as a speaker for the American Burn Association and traveled across the United States to lecture and educate physicians, nurses, EMT personnel, and caretakers about burn care. He served as the section chief of Plastic Surgery for St. Vincent Medical Center and was a member of many committees including St. Vincent Search Committee, Physician in charge for Med/Surg ICU, the St. Vincent Hospital Trauma Committee, the St. Vincent Education Committee, the St. Vincent Intensive Care Committee, the St. Vincent Uncompensated Care Committee, the St. Vincent Medical Executive Committee, the St. Vincent Interdisciplinary Committee, The St. Vincent Surgery Case Review Committee, and the St. Vincent Operating Room Committee. He also served as the Director of the Regional Burn Care and Reconstructive Center, St. Vincent Medical Center, the Director of the N. W. Ohio Tissue Bank and he served as the Assistant Section Head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Luke's Hospital. Dr. Yanik received certifications from The American Board of Surgery, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc. His professional memberships included The Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio State Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc., American Burn Association, Society of Former Residents Kings County Hospital, Toledo Surgical Society, Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery, Ohio Valley Society for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Although research and papers were not his focus, he did have 3 published articles with his by line. Dr. Yanik was a man of many interests and hobbies and for many years he was a beekeeper. He was the President of the Maumee Valley Beekeepers and gave talks about bees and beekeeping to area schools, libraries and garden clubs. As a skilled woodworking craftsman and experienced carpenter, he enjoyed continually adding to his extensive collection of tools. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, planting dahlias every year, and planting and tending to many different trees and bushes. He was knowledgeable in many areas of construction, often engaging in discussions with builders, electricians, plumbers and all trades. He oversaw the building of the Arrowhead Plastic Surgery Center for his group. Because of illness he retired from plastic and reconstructive surgery but continued to remain highly involved with medicine and medical care. Dr. Yanik met his wife, Rosemary E. Miller while attending BGSU. They were married in 1973 and have enjoyed more than 37 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of four wonderful children, Mathew, Andrea, Seth (Sherry), and Christopher Yanik. They survive him as do his brothers, Mark (Carol), Martin (Barbara); sisters, Marcia (John) Karnes, and Janine (David) Brooks; brother-in-laws, Larry (Amy) Miller, Roger A. Miller and sister-in-laws, Sister Barbara Jean Miller and Joanna (Timothy) Harris. Also surviving him are his mother-in-law, Marjorie Miller-Campbell (Jack). He was preceded in death by his parents. His multiple medical challenges were mere obstacles that he moved around. He remained optimistic and hopeful in the face of great odds. His life journey has come to an end. May he rest peacefully. Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011 at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 South Reynolds Road, Toledo Ohio 43614 (419-865-1295 where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church at 4201 Heatherdowns Boulevard, Toledo, Ohio 43614. Interment will be private. Memorials may be made to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation - Burn Center, St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church or the charity of donor's choice. Condolences and messages to the family by visiting www.CoyleFuneralHome.com