A Pioneer in Gay Men's Health Care Passes Away
Dr. Anthony Scarsella, chief of research at the Pacific Oaks Medical Group (POMG) where he helped pioneer health care for gay men and people living with HIV, has died.
A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Scarsella, 77, passed away from injuries suffered in an accident Friday, May 6, at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood.
He was the last surviving original member of the 40-year-old medical group, which was instrumental in focusing on the general healthcare needs of gay men in addition to research on HIV.“Time and fate changed and shaped my career as an M.D.
and gave my journey new meaning as a pioneer and first-generation Doc in AIDS care-giving,” he was quoted in a statement from POMG announcing his passing. “Eventually, I was able to poke my head out from the AIDS mountain and I could take care of people who were gay and not HIV+.
