By Lucy Berrington, MS
Edward L. Amaral, MD, with the stained glass door panel he will exhibit at the Annual Meeting art show on April 26.
A highly regarded Worcester surgeon who had a vital role in uniting physicians around artistic interests and the natural world has retired from the MMS Member Interest Network.
Over 17 years, Edward L. Amaral, MD, was the founding chair and subsequent vice-chair of the Arts, History, Humanism, and Culture Member Interest Network (AHH&C MIN, or MIN). The MIN brings together Massachusetts physicians for events relating to art, creative writing, astronomy, birding, gardening, medical history, music, photography, and — Dr. Amaral’s own area of artistry — stained glass.
“Ed’s art work is colorful, warm, bright, engaging. All these things you’d say about his stained glass could also be said about his personality and contribution to the Society,” says Robert W. Sorrenti, MD, medical director at UniCare, who took over from Dr. Amaral as chair of the AHH&C MIN.
The Society created the MIN to broaden member engagement and add networking opportunities. “Physicians use these outlets to help achieve the right balance in their lives,” says Dr. Sorrenti. “In 2000, the Member Interest Network was a new entity with a mission to build opportunities for MMS members to express their nonmedical-related interests. Ed was the right person in the right place at the right time. He’s very collegial and affable. He was open to the participation of members and supportive of their ideas, and very attentive to individuals.”
Dr. Amaral’s stained glass work includes two pieces displayed at the MMS Headquarters in Waltham, and regular contributions to the art shows at MMS annual meetings — including a door panel that will be featured in this year’s Nancy N. Caron Annual Member Art Exhibit on April 26.
Dr. Amaral, age 82, joined the MMS in 1966 and served the organization in various capacities. In 1996, when Dr. Amaral became president of the Worcester District Medical Society (WDMS), he called for unity among physicians across practice affiliations, models, and payers, and for members’ participation in the medical community. He served as a WDMS delegate, a member of several WDMS and MMS committees, and (in 1993) as the annual WDMS orator.
When Dr. Amaral stepped down as district president, Joel Popkin, MD, wrote to him, “Your honest, caring, and straightforward approach is not only effective but truly refreshing. Thanks so much for the great work you have done.” Joyce Cariglia, executive director of the WDMS, worked with Dr. Amaral for 32 years. “He is a wonderful man, humorous, warm, and gentle. I can’t say enough about him.”
