Dr. Goldstein began his surgical career here in 1987 as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College, ultimately being promoted to Professor of Surgery in 2012. Dr. Goldstein spent nearly his entire career as a colon and rectal surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, working closely for decades with Dr. Gerry Isenberg. He also served for a time as the Director of the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital and as a consultant for the VA hospital in Wilmington, DE. Dr. Goldstein was a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, to name a few. Dr. Goldstein held committee roles for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and was the President of the PennsylvaniaSociety of Colon and Rectal Surgeonsfrom 1998 to 1999 and the President of the Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons from 2015 to 2016.
Dr. Goldstein served as a superb Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery here at Jefferson since 2004. In addition to his role as Division Chief, Dr. Goldstein previously served as the Program Director for the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship, a Jefferson Medical College Executive Committee member, and System Physician Lead for the Jefferson Operational Excellence for Colon and Rectal Resection Champions. He was also a member of the following committees: Patient Safety, GI – Transplant Service Line, Student Admissions, Clinical Trials Oversight, G-MED Steering, Clinical Performance Improvement, Department of Surgery Promotions, Surgical Oncology Steering and our Surgical Executive Committee.
Dr. Goldstein was an exceptional surgeon, educator, mentor, researcher and leader in the Department of Surgery. Under his leadership the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery doubled in faculty members. He contributed to the literature, was an invited lecturer over 100 times, and an impactful academic faculty member. Dr. Goldstein won numerous teaching awards from the Department of Surgery, and he was a perennial Philadelphia Magazine “Best Doctor” as well as a Castle/Connelly “Top Cancer Doctor”. He published over 45 peer reviewed journal articles, as well as various editorials and book chapters. Dr. Goldstein retired in July 2021 after being on the faculty for 34 years.
Dr. Goldstein passed on Thursday February 15th, 2024 at the age of 72 years, after a brief illness. Despite his intense dedication to his medical career, more than anything, Dr. Goldstein was a family man. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years Joann (nee Bielitsky). With extreme pride, he relished in the academic and career success of his four sons, Frank (Kyleigh), Samuel (Loreen), Jonathan (Haley), and Charles (Claudia). Perhaps his greatest source of joy was in his role of grandfather (“Gee”) to Charleigh, Levi and Jack. He was also a beloved brother to Richard, and Joel (Melissa), a devoted cousin, and a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
It would be remiss not to include the countless patients, whose lives he impacted over the years, the friends whom he cherished, and his colleagues/co-workers whom he esteemed. May we find comfort in his indelible imprint in our memories.
