Michael Sloan, MD, professor of neurology at USF Health who directed the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tampa General Hospital, died Sept. 9, 2011. He was 57.

Dr. Sloan was a major authority in stroke who made substantial contributions to the advances in the field over the past 20 years. The stroke program he led as a USF Health faculty member at TGH since 2007 consistently earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality – a disease-specific certification bestowed by the Joint Commission, the nation’s largest health care accreditation organization.

“Dr. Sloan was held in the highest regard, not only by all of us here at USF and at TGH, but also by all of his national and international peers. His decision to join USF Neurology unquestionably brought a new level of recognition to both the Stroke Division and the Department,” said Clifton Gooch, MD, professor and chair of neurology at USF Health.

“Thousands of patients and families were touched by him, and he saved many lives and rescued many more from what would have otherwise been crushing and permanent disability,” Dr. Gooch said. “Sentiments of support and sympathy continue to pour in to us from around the world as news of his passing spreads. He is, and always will be, deeply missed.”

Dr. Sloan earned his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He completed an internal medicine residency at Bershire Medical Center, a neurology residency at Tufts University/New England Medical Center, and a fellowship in vascular neurology at the University of Virginia.

Named of one the Best Doctors in America each year for the past decade, Dr. Sloan was internationally renowned as an academic stroke specialist. He served as chair of the National Stroke Study Group for the American Heart Association, and chair of the Stroke Registry for the state of Florida, among many other national and international leadership positions. He was honored by colleagues with many of the highest awards in his field.

Dr. Sloan was a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association’s Stroke Council.

Dr. Sloan is survived by his wife, Cheryl; mother, Jody Sloan; daughters, Jessica and Brittany; brothers, David and Daniel; sister-in-law, Millie; niece, Marissa; and nephew, Adam. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Sloan.

Services were held Sept. 14 at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Colonial Chapel, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236, with burial following in Temple Beth Shalom Cemetery, Sarasota.