Russell J. Nauta, MD

Dr. Russell J. Nauta, a distinguished surgeon, medical researcher and inspiring teacher to generations of young physicians, was known best for the compassion and devotion he brought to his work and family. Dr. Nauta, who lived in Westport, Mass., and Barrington, R.I., died in a traffic accident on June 12. He was 68 years old. Dr. Nauta had retired in December 2019 after serving 22 years as chairman of surgery at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and vice chairman of surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He was also a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. “Russ was a giant among surgeons and a well-respected, beloved critical care physician,” Jeanette Clough, the president of Mt. Auburn, wrote to the hospital community after his passing. Over his long career, Dr. Nauta cared for the famous and countless other patients from more ordinary walks of life with a dedication he helped instill in many medical students and young doctors now practicing across the country. “Dr. Nauta modeled, in every way, devotion to patients and their families, always emphasizing the importance of ‘ownership’ and that the essence of patient care was the assumption of responsibility,” said Dr. Elliot Chaikof, chair of the Department of Surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. One of those patients was Richard Donohue, a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police officer wounded in a shoot-out with the Boston Marathon bombers in 2013. Dr. Nauta operated on the officer, who had lost nearly all his blood and whose heart had stopped beating, helping to save his life. Physicians who had trained with Dr. Nauta, many of whom now serve in senior positions of their own, recalled the influence he had on their careers and lives. “He was a true mentor, educator, hero,” wrote Dr. Mohsen Shabahang, now the chair of the Geisinger Surgery Institute. “He was loved by all who were trained by him. As an educator, Russ lives on through all who emulate him every day.” Over his career and its demanding schedule, Dr. Nauta was also a dedicated family man. Despite long work hours, he made sure there was time to attend his children’s events, drive his daughter to school and return home in time for dinner nearly every night. At larger family gatherings, he was often the man working the Weber grill, preparing his famous crab cakes or photographing holiday celebrations. He was also a critical resource for virtually all members of his extended family as well as many friends when they faced serious medical problems, explaining what was happening and connecting them with the best available care. On at least one occasion, doctors went out of their way to meet a relative simply because they were connected to physician who had once taught them. Ursula Russo, his wife’s cousin, recently called Dr. Nauta after she spent the night at Rhode Island Hospital. “I woke up and there was a young doctor at the end of my bed,” Mrs. Russo, also of Westport, recalled. “He said, ‘How are you related to Dr. Nauta?’ So I told him, and he said, ‘I love that man!'" Later the same day, a more senior physician paid Mrs. Russo a visit to report that she, too, was a fan of Dr. Nauta. “When I got home I had to call Russ to tell him that even at Rhode Island Hospital the doctors were singing his praises,” she said. “Russ was so humble, he just said, ‘Thank you for telling me.’” Dr. Nauta was born and raised in New London, Conn., the son of skilled craftsman and a nurse. His father, who built the radio room on the nation’s first nuclear submarine, was an inspiration as a talented worker who wanted things done right because other people depended on it. He attended Wesleyan University and met his wife, Claire, shortly before graduating in 1973. They were married the next year. Dr. Nauta later graduated from Georgetown Medical School and moved to Boston for his surgical residency at what is now known as Brigham & Women’s Hospital, staying an extra year to become super chief resident. He returned to Georgetown to begin his academic career, rising to become professor of surgery and director of the Residency in General Surgery, as well as chief of the General Surgery and Surgical Oncology divisions. His practice grew from scratch to 850 major cases annually over a six-year period. Dr. Nauta also cared for indigent patients for the Catholic Charities of D.C. When funding ran out for faculty support at D.C. General Hospital, his division supported the institution with uncompensated general surgery and trauma coverage. At Georgetown, 50 medical students annually sought Dr. Nauta’s written support for residency training, representing 25 percent of the graduating class. Over a period of a decade, he transformed Georgetown’s residency training into one of the dominant academic programs in the country. Later, the Nauta Award for Outstanding Faculty Teaching was established at Georgetown to recognize his many contributions to the university and its medical program. Dr. Nauta returned to the Boston area in 1998, continuing his work as a surgeon, educator and researcher at Mt. Auburn. He became the president of the Boston Surgical Society in 2013. At Harvard, Dr. Nauta served for nearly two decades as a member of the Harvard Medical School Admissions Committee. He also held many national leadership roles in the American College of Surgeons and was appointed to its board of governors in 2014. Dr. Nauta, who wrote many scholarly articles, recently contributed a chapter to the book Selected Readings In Surgery and had been preparing another. Dr. Nauta is survived by his mother, Lillian “Chris” Nauta of New London; his wife Claire; his son Russell Nauta and his wife Rebecca of Needham, Mass.; his daughter Dr. Allison Nauta and her husband James Baker of Portland, Ore.; and grandchildren Melanie, Paige and Russell Nauta, all of Needham. The funeral and burial will be private. A celebration of Dr. Russell J. Nauta’s life will be held at a future date.