Ralph S. Greco

He joined the faculty at Rutgers (later Robert Wood Johnson Medical School) as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in 1975. His clinical practice included general, vascular and pediatric surgery. In 1978 in collaboration with Richard Harvey Ph D, professor of biochemistry, Greco developed the hypothesis that bio-materials could be rendered infection resistant by bonding antibiotics to their surfaces. This research resulted in a grant from the NIH in 1979 as well as multiple patents.[6][7] He was promoted to Associate Professor and in 1983 to Professor of surgery. Thereafter he was appointed Director of the General Surgery Residency Program and Chief of General Surgery.[8]

Greco accepted the offer of Stanford University to become the J & J Chair, Chief of General Surgery and Director of the General Surgery Training Program effective July 1, 2000.[9]

From 2001 to 2005, Greco modernized and developed subspecialties in surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, minimal access surgery and trauma.[10]

In this time frame Greco began his work on resident well being. This path was determined by one of his chief residents who, 5 months after graduation, committed suicide.[11] First he worked with a small number of faculty and residents to create a well being program entitled Balance in Life,[12] which became a model for others.[13] Greco received the 2011 John Gienapp Award for lifetime contributions to GME, the highest honor given by the ACGME.[14]

In 1987 Greco became interested in sculpture and studied under Lilli Gettinger for 5 years.[15][16] Before moving to Stanford he had five exhibitions in the Northeast.[15][17] Greco donated one of his pieces to Rutgers[18] and donated two sculptures to Stanford in 2018.