MARK M. RAVITCH, Med 1934, one of the founding fathers of modern pediatric surgery, recalled that as a young college graduate he was disappointed when his application to Harvard Medical School was rejected. He later realized that the decision was “the greatest good fortune that could have come to me.” After earning his medical degree at Hopkins, Dr. Ravitch completed a surgical residency with the renowned Alfred Blalock.
A prolific writer, Dr. Ravitch authored 453 papers, 101 book chapters, 22 books, and served as editor of nearly 20 medical journals. Dr. Ravitch was perhaps best known as an expert on the correction of chest-wall deformities in children and as a pioneer in the use of mechanical suturing in surgery. He is also remembered for his incisive mind, his intellectual integrity, and his demanding yet compassionate Socratic approach to teaching. In 1989, at the age of 78, Dr. Ravitch was still teaching students from his hospital bed. He died that year.
Chairholder to be named.
Held by John Migaly
Dr. JOHN MIGALY is the Mark M. Ravitch, M.D. Professor in Surgery and Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery/Ravitch Division at Johns Hopkins Medicine. He specializes in the treatment of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other benign and complex colorectal conditions. Dr. Migaly is committed to providing advanced, patient-centered care, often using minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, to help reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
Dr. Migaly comes to Johns Hopkins Medicine from the Duke University School of Medicine, serving from 2008-2024 on the surgery faculty, treating patients primarily through the Duke Cancer Institute. He was elevated to Program Director of the General Surgery Residency in 2012 and subsequently served as Vice Chair of Education until 2024. His work was critical to the success of the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education missions at Duke Surgery.
Dr. Migaly earned his B.A. in Biochemistry from New York University and his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine. He completed surgical residency and a research fellowship at Temple University Health Sciences Center and a colorectal surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Dr. Migaly’s career has been marked not only by a complex and high-volume clinical colon and rectal surgery practice but also by a commitment to research and education, supported by greater than 200 publications, book chapters, and presentations. His research is centered around improving practice patterns and outcomes in colorectal cancer care and recovery.
His leadership and dedication to advancing the field of colorectal surgery is evident through his service on committees that shape how colorectal care is delivered nationally, via his past and present service on the Program Committee, the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee, and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.