We are saddened to report that Emory vascular surgeon George M. Skardasis, MD, passed away on January 4, 2021, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was a compassionate and highly skilled surgeon whose primary clinical specialties were aneurysm repair, carotid artery disease, portal hypertension, laser surgery, and venous diseases.
Dr. Skardasis was born on the island of Kalymnos, Greece, to Michael and Evdokia Skardasis, and was one of eight children. As a young boy, he survived the German occupation of Greece during WWII. He received his MD degree at the Medical School of Athens, Greece, in 1959, and served in the Greek Army.
In 1962, Dr. Skardasis immigrated to the US in order to complete his surgical residency at Emory University School of Medicine. During his residency, he met his future wife Carole, who was a nurse at Crawford Long Hospital, now Emory University Hospital Midtown. He completed his fellowship in vascular surgery at Northwestern University, Chicago, in 1968.
Dr. Skardasis opened the first vascular laboratory in the Atlanta metro area at Crawford Long, and served as its medical director for 40 years. He also served as chief of the section of vascular surgery at the hospital until 2010, mentoring many residents and fellows along the way. He continued to perform procedures and treat patients at Emory University Hospital Midtown until the age of 84.
Dr. Skardasis' passing is a poignant loss for the Emory community. He will be missed by all.