Dr. Keith Amos; Courtesy UNC Health

CHAPEL HILL – The UNC Health Care System is morning the loss of two respected and cherished doctors this week. Dr. Keith Amos, assistant professor of surgery, and surgical oncologist, died unexpectedly while traveling as a visiting scholar in Scotland. Dr. George Sheldon, who chaired the UNC Department of Surgery from 1984 to 2001, died due to illness at UNC Hospitals Sunday. He was 78 year old.

Dr. Amos is survived by his wife, Ahaji, and their three young daughters.

Dr. William Roper, Dean of the School of Medicine, Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Chief Executive Officer of the UNC Health Care System, said this in his blog regarding the loss of his colleagues:

“George and Keith were very different people in many ways, and they were at very different places in their careers – one near the end his, the other in the most productive period of his. But they both were passionate surgeons, dedicated to serving others. We will miss them very, very much.”

Dr. Sheldon was awarded the lifetime achievement award by the American College of Surgeons in 2012. Dr. Amos was recruited to UNC in 2007, and during his career in Chapel Hill, focused on the UNC Breast Center.