Saeed M. Farhat, M.D. (Residency 1964), a longtime neurosurgeon at Michigan Medicine, died September 21, 2019, at the age of 91. Farhat earned his medical degree at the University of Nebraska in 1955 and completed his residency at Michigan Medicine. He served as chair of neurosurgery from 1969 to 1992 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he established the first neurosurgery service, which later became the Michigan Brain and Spine Institute. A dedicated teacher and surgeon, he accepted a position in 1998 at Michigan Medicine, where he remained until his death.
At a young age, Farhat dreamed of becoming both a doctor and a master photographer, and he maintained his passion for medicine and photography throughout his life. With his wife, Dorothy, he traveled to various national parks to photograph nature. He also was an avid sports fan and deeply interested in gardening, classical music, fine clothing, and foreign languages.
In recognition of his devotion to excellence in neurosurgery, U-M has created an endowed lecture fund in his name.
This obituary was adapted from one originally published in the Ann Arbor News.