William Farrar, MD, had no idea what awaited him as he prepared to depart the operating room suite after performing his final surgery at Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
When the doors swung open and he stepped into a corridor en route to the locker room where he would remove his scrubs for the last time, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from dozens of colleagues who lined the walls in honor of his exit.
Startled, he accepted his white coat from a waiting colleague, pulled it on over his scrubs and shuffled unpretentiously down the corridor, offering a couple of quick modest waves, accepting a few hugs and at least once subtly shaking his head as if in disbelief at this heartfelt spectacle that was secretly arranged to chronicle the concluding steps of a surgical journey that had begun nearly half a century ago.
“I was completely shocked by the ‘clap-out’ ceremony,” says Dr. Farrar, an acclaimed surgical oncologist and former CEO of The James, when reflecting on that March 21 magical moment.
“I didn’t think anyone knew – and I didn’t plan to share – that it was my last case. It was overwhelming to see so many colleagues. I really appreciated everyone being there. I feel honored to have spent my entire surgical career here at Ohio State and The James,” says Dr. Farrar, who also retired as CEO of the James on July 1.
THE EXTENT OF THIS MAN’S LEGACY
“Dr. Farrar’s impact at Ohio State is the material of which legends will be made,” says fellow surgical oncologist Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS, director of the OSUCCC.
To back his assertion, Dr. Pollock checks off a number of Dr. Farrar’s historical achievements: becoming the first surgical oncology fellow at Ohio State; performing cancer surgeries for an astounding 46 years; and being the last trainee of the late Arthur G. James, MD, known to still be practicing in 2022. Dr. James, who died in 2001, was a renowned surgical oncologist for whom the cancer hospital is named.
Over the decades, Dr. Farrar performed more than 20,000 surgeries on patients with nearly every kind of malignancy except brain cancer. Later in his career he began specializing in breast cancer care because most of his research and clinical trials were focused on that disease. He also was put in charge of breast cancer at The James and thus prioritized breast cancer surgery over all other types.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ONCOLOGISTS AND CANCER TREATMENT
For many years, Dr. Farrar led the oncology fellowship program at Ohio State and the OSUCCC – James. Besides training medical students and residents, he also educated 71 fellows to become surgical oncologists. “I’m proud to say that many of these physicians have become national leaders since their training,” he says.
Dr. Farrar also considers himself fortunate to have worked with the OSUCCC – James Foundation Board on such construction projects as the original cancer hospital that opened at Ohio State in 1990, the newer and much larger cancer hospital that replaced it in 2014 and the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center that opened in 2011 as the first of its kind in the Midwest. The center offers a full continuum of breast cancer care – from prevention and screening through detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, which Dr. Farrar led for 10 years after it opened, is named for a patient of his who died in 2009 at age 42 after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. During those years, Stefanie and her husband, Chris, a former Ohio State and professional football standout, worked tirelessly to heighten awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for research. Since 1998, more than $26 million has been raised for the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the OSUCCC – James.
Chris Spielman, who has remained active in furthering Stefanie’s legacy and advocating for the OSUCCC – James, recognizes Dr. Farrar’s longstanding importance to Ohio State’s cancer program. “He’s a man who has done his job with compassion, excellence and an unrelenting will to defeat cancer,” Spielman says. “Well done, my friend!”
DEPARTING WITH HOPE
Continuous innovations and advances brought about by medical scientists at the OSUCCC – James and elsewhere make Dr. Farrar optimistic about the global fight against cancer. “I’m proud of our collective accomplishments, but the work to end cancer is ongoing,” he says. “I’m grateful to have been a part of so many efforts to move us forward and for the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.”
He also attributes much of his success to his wife, Kathryn, and their four children.“None of this would have been possible without them. Kathryn is the rock of our family, and I couldn’t have accomplished anything without her by my side.
”Was it difficult to end his long career journey?
“It’s hard to wrap my mind around no longer performing surgeries, but I am thankful to have spent my career at a place I love, surrounded by so many great patients, colleagues and friends,” Dr. Farrar says.
“This cancer community is unlike any other I’ve ever experienced – just the most fantastic people who are compassionate and driven to deliver the best possible care for our patients.”And among those fantastic folks, Dr. William Farrar will forever be remembered.