Dr Mel Tohill, one of the north's most respected plastic surgeons, has passed away suddenly, aged 51.
Colleagues at the Ulster Hospital, where he was a consultant, led tributes to the father-of-three. Dr Tohill also treated patients at the Belfast Skin Clinic.
In their tribute, the staff of the plastic surgery department at the Ulster Hospital said they "are deeply saddened by the sudden death of their esteemed colleague, Mr Mel Tohill".
"He was a skilful, dedicated and compassionate surgeon, a highly-respected teacher and mentor, and a very dear colleague and friend, the staff said.
"The care of his patients was at the centre of his professional life, and we all benefitted from his wise counsel." Dr Tohill died on Saturday.
Other tributes described Dr Tohill as a "true professional and a gentleman and someone who cared deeply about doing the right thing for patients" He will be "a huge loss to the cancer community", the tribute added.
Dr Tohill will be "sadly missed by his heartbroken wife Jackie and his sons Malachy, James and Danny", a family notice stated.
"Those who live in the hearts of their loved ones do not die," it added.
Funeral arrangements will follow but it is asked that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Children’s Cancer Charity, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
His biography on the Belfast Skin Centre website states he graduated in medicine from Queen’s University in 1997 after previously being awarded first class honours in therapeutics and pharmacology in 1995.
Following a year at the Mater Hospital, he entered core surgical training in Belfast, during which time he developed an interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery "and decided to commit to pursuing a career in this highly competitive specialty".
Dr Tohill moved to London in 2001 and was appointed as a research fellow "in the internationally-renowned Blond McIndoe Laboratories based in the Royal Free and University College London Medical School".
He developed "techniques for nerve regeneration during his research and published and presented his findings nationally and internationally"
Dr Tohill entered higher surgical training in plastic surgery and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2009. He completed his training with fellowships in Frenchay Park Hospital, Bristol and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London.
"During this time, he gained advanced training in breast reconstruction, lower limb trauma, head and neck reconstruction and microsurgery," the biography states.
Dr Tohill then moved to Scotland following his appointment as a consultant plastic surgeon to Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee. He later moved to the internationally recognised Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit in Glasgow, "which has made major contributions to the field of plastic surgery over the last 50 years"
He returned to Belfast in January 2017 to take up an appointment in the Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Service based in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald.
His key areas of interest were in reconstructive microsurgery for breast reconstruction, skin cancer and medical education.
