Dr. Cetas, Neurosurgery Chair, Passes Away

It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of loss that we share with you the tragic news of the sudden passing of our dear colleague, Justin S. Cetas, MD, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Neurosurgery. He was involved in a traffic accident yesterday that resulted, unfortunately, in non-survivable injuries.

On behalf of everyone at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and Banner – University Medicine, we would like to express our most sincere sympathies to Dr. Cetas' family and loved ones. We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic event that is so difficult to process, as we come together to grieve his passing. Dr. Cetas was a talented neurosurgeon who dedicated his life to caring for others. He was also a skilled educator, respected researcher, trusted colleague and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Cetas was born in Tucson and graduated from the College of Medicine – Tucson MD-PhD program in 2002. He returned here to become department chair just over a year ago.

More information will be shared as it becomes available. Please keep Dr. Cetas, his family, coworkers and colleagues, and the many who appreciated and loved him in your thoughts and prayers.

We would like to remind faculty, staff, students, residents and fellows that mental health services are available free of charge to those who would like additional support during this difficult time. Support is available through UArizona Counseling and Psych Services or Employee Assistance Counseling, and resources for medical students, residents, fellows and physicians are also available through COM-T Mental Health Services, and fast-track appointments can be scheduled by calling 520-874-7500 or visiting the Banner Outpatient Psychiatry website.

Banner – University Medicine provides mental health support resources including onsite, virtual and one-on-one. Call 1-800-243-5240 or visit the Banner My Well-Being link for more information. On-campus resources are available through Banner Health's employee assistance program, 1-866-568-7554, or www.resourcesforliving.com using username Banner and password EAP. Video or text visits are also available at www.talkspace.com/rfl.