Steven Alan Sahn

Dr. Steven Alan Sahn, 73 of Charleston, SC passed away August 19, 2016 at Hospice Of Charleston, following a courageous battle with Alzheimers and Lewy Body dementia. Dr. Sahn was born in Brooklyn, NY on January 25, 1943. He graduated from Duke University and subsequently from the University of Louisville Medical School. Dr. Sahn completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and his Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Sahn is survived by his wife, Claire Hoefer, and his mother, Mildred Sahn of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his sisters, Sandi Comen (Steve) of Charlotte, NC and Jill Benson (Bob) of Tustin, CA. He was predeceased by his father, Irwin Sahn. He is also survived by his children: Karen Sahn of Aspen, CO, Stacey Petersen (KIrk) of Crested Butte, CO, James Sahn (Kerensa) of Austin, TX, Michael Sahn (Tara) of Daniel Island, SC and Rachel Hill (Alex) of Daniel Island, SC. He is survived by grandchildren: Sydney, Turner and Severyn Petersen, Jimmy Sahn, Maya Hill and Charlie Sahn: stepsons, Michael Uricchio and Nicholas Uricchio, both of James Island; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Sahn served as Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina for 30 years. Dr. Sahn was twice awarded the Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence. In 2011, Dr. Sahn was awarded the American Thoracic Society's Trudeau Medal, a prestigious lifetime achievement award, recognizing his major contributions to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. Dr. Sahn's contributions in the field of pulmonary medicine are extensive, contributing more than 1,000 published articles.

Patients were referred to Dr. Sahn from all over the country. His patients routinely wrote him notes of gratitude, not only for his talents as a gifted physician, but for his depth of care and compassion. Dr. Sahn's legacy and expertise will continue by all those he trained through the fellowship programs and his extensive publications.

Dr. Sahn often reminded his physicians-in-training that doctors need to balance their work life with precious quality family time, and he demonstrated this philosophy by example. Dr. Sahn (Coach Steve) coached many of his children's sports teams, from baseball to basketball and club soccer teams. Coach Steve taught lessons on the ball field that many still remember and cherish today. Coach Steve was always willing to teach and coach any player who wanted to learn. Unless a pressing out of town work engagement required his presence, Coach Steve never missed a game or practice.

An avid sports enthusiast, Dr. Sahn was highly passionate about the Duke Blue Devils, the St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Love for his favorite teams made for lively discussion, friendly rivalries, and a high energy game-watching experience.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Bachman for his wonderful care. Dr. Sahn was especially fond of Lakisha Rivera and Anna Quiroz. The family would also like to extend an heartfelt thanks to the staffs at Ashley Gardens Alzheimers Special Care Unit and Hospice of Charleston. Claire is so thankful for the support of the Caregiver Support Group of Respite of Charleston.

Dr. Sahn is loved by so many and will be sorely missed by all of us whose lives he touched and influenced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MUSC Foundation, in support of the Steven A. Sahn MD Distinguished Visiting Professorship, 18 Bee Street MSC 450, Charleston, SC 29425 or on line at musc.edu/giving/medicine; Respite of Charleston, 1605 Harborview Road, Charleston, SC 29412; or BrightFocus Foundation for Alzheimer's Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871.

A memorial service for Dr. Sahn will be held at MUSC St. Luke's Chapel (181 Ashley Ave. Charleston, SC) Sunday, August 21st at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.