It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Sue Orloff, MD, a devoted surgeon, mentor, and beloved member of the community. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert Hart, professor of surgery and orthopaedic spine surgeon at OHSU; their son, Jackson; and their daughter, Annie, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in perinatal mental health.
Sue was an outstanding member of the Naffziger Surgical Society and a deeply respected figure in academic medicine. Her career was defined not only by excellence, but by extraordinary perseverance.
During her second year of fellowship in abdominal organ transplantation at the University of California, San Francisco, and nearing the end of a decade of training, Sue experienced a devastating biking accident that fractured her spine in six places. She was told she might never again be able to withstand the physical demands of surgery. Refusing to accept that outcome, Sue committed herself to recovery—relearning basic movements and steadily rebuilding her strength. Through determination and resilience, she returned to the operating room and continued pursuing her calling.
She went on to become an internationally recognized leader in liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery. At Oregon Health & Science University, she served as Professor of Surgery, Chief of the Division of Abdominal Organ Transplantation/Hepatobiliary Surgery from 2008 to 2023, and Fellowship Director of the AHPBA-accredited HPB Fellowship Program. A pioneering investigator in transplant immunology, genomics, and liver cancer research, she authored more than 130 peer-reviewed articles and contributed extensively to the field. She was also a dedicated advocate for expanding organ donation, improving transplant outcomes, and reducing disparities in access to care.
Sue believed deeply in perseverance, often reminding others, “You can do the impossible sometimes if you just stick to it and put your mind to it.” She also encouraged balance in life, advising her trainees to “play as hard as you work” and to nurture passions beyond medicine.
Above all, Sue was devoted to her family, her patients, and her colleagues. Her legacy of strength, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire all who knew her. We were fortunate to have her as part of the UCSF family and the Naffziger Surgical Society.