Dr. Thomas A. Cortese, Jr.

July 26, 1934 - June 28, 2024

Dr. Thomas A. Cortese, Jr., loving husband, father and dedicated physician, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, June 28, 2024 at the age of 89. His deep dedication to his family, friends and his medical practice, along with his passion for education and research, leaves an everlasting legacy within the medical community, the lives of his patients, and all those who knew and loved him. His heart of gold lives on forever.

Born in 1934 in Beech Grove, Indiana, Dr. Cortese embarked on a lifelong journey of academic excellence and professional pursuits. By the young age of eight, he knew that his calling was to heal people like his father, who was a general surgeon and family practitioner. Upon graduating valedictorian from Cathedral High School in 1952, he received numerous scholarships and continued his educational excellence, earning his A.B. in Chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1956, followed by a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Wayne State University in 1960. His thirst for medical knowledge continued at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he received his M.D. in 1964. During his junior year at Indiana University School of Medicine, another well-known and respected dermatologist, Dr. Harold Rodin of South Bend, Indiana, inspired his career in dermatology.

One week after beginning his residency, Dr. Cortese was among 750 physicians drafted for the Vietnam conflict and was assigned to the Letterman Army Research Unit of Dermatology in San Francisco, CA, where he explored the effects of friction, heat, and humidity on the skin of soldiers and how these factors incapacitate soldiers on the battlefield. He worked under one of America’s most famous dermatologists, Marion B. Sulzberger, which would be invaluable and influential for his career. For this research work, Dr. Cortese was awarded the United States Army Commendation Medal in 1967. Afterwards, he returned to Indianapolis, Indiana and completed his dermatology residency through Indiana University at Marion County General Hospital in 1969. Upon graduating from residency, Dr. Cortese became an Adjunct Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Indiana University School of Medicine and rose to full professor as he taught and performed research for the next 30 years. His long-time tenure, beginning in 1969, highlighted his love for teaching and commitment to medical education. In 2021, Dr. Cortese was bestowed the honor of Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus of Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Concurrently, in 1969, he joined his father’s practice and, soon after, established his own private practice, which became the first dermatology facility south of US 40 on the Southside of Indianapolis. By 1982, he had opened three offices – one near Greenwood, one in Castleton, and the third on the suburban northwest side of Indianapolis. His practice was officially named Cortese Dermatology in 1988, and he provided dermatologic care through these three locations for nearly 4 decades. After private practice, he continued to work with Forefront Dermatology and retired in 2019 at the young age of 85. Although he hoped to work forever (and live to 100), COVID forced him into an early retirement. Notwithstanding, he continued actively learning, taking courses and engaged in studies for the remainder of his life.

More importantly, he believed that his greatest, most profound accomplishments were achieved quietly, with humility and without acknowledgement. He would encourage all of us to do the same. He loved people, living selflessly in service of others not just through medicine, but also through mentorship, life coaching, and financial support. His medical practice was open to all, and he made house calls and personally hand-delivered medications to those in need. Nurturing medical students to develop their passion for medicine and their patients was important to him, and years later, some would become his physicians, as well. He lived by the Hippocratic Oath and said, “I believe that physicians must carefully listen to each patient before a diagnosis is made and treatment is started. My duty to each patient is to search for the root of the skin problem, whether it is from an internal or external cause. It is incumbent upon every physician to develop the competency to promptly, effectively, and efficiently diagnose and treat the problems of skin at the least cost and trouble to each patient. I owe this philosophy to my father, who said, 'Always treat your patient the way you would want to be treated.'” This philosophy guided his daily practice throughout his profession. When recently asked by his family what he would do with his life if he could live for another 100 years, Dr. Cortese said, without hesitation, that he would continue with his same profession, helping as many people as he could.

Thomas is survived by his adoring family, including his caring wife and love of his life of 67 years, Nia; their three daughters, Alexi, Dena, and Joanna; nine grandchildren, Sophia, Anastasia, Andreana, Angelica, Anthony, Eleni, Kara, Alex, and Thomas; and their three great-grandchildren. He has been joyfully reunited with his son, Thomas A. Cortese, III, who passed away in 2019, in addition to his beloved family members, his father Dr. Thomas Cortese, mother Thelma Donato Cortese, and brother Dr. Joseph Cortese.

He lived a beautifully fulfilled life, and we shall always cherish his gentle, loving, and romantic soul, along with his selfless generosity and radiating optimism. He was a great father and husband, steadfast, loyal, and unconditionally giving while always dropping everything to offer his time, energy, love, and care. His boundless faith and calm acceptance, appreciation, gratitude, and joy of life were an inspiration to us all. And his memory shall be eternal as it continues on through his extended family members, caring friends and colleagues, thoughtful students, and dear patients.

Thomas was active in many organizations including the Indianapolis Food and Wine Society (IW&FS) and served as board member and President of the Italian Heritage Society of Indianapolis. He loved to travel with his family, especially to his homeland of Italy, spoke Italian, and looked forward to conversing and practicing as often as possible. In his spare time, he never stopped being curious and learning; he loved tackling new computer programs, worked on detailing his ancestry for the next generations, was intrigued with the stock market and investing trends, liked listening to opera, and relaxed to movies on Turner Classic, with "Random Harvest" among his favorites. He also found joy in simple pleasures, like indulging his sweet tooth with Italian cookies, chocolates, and gelato. And he always welcomed a night out on the town, donned in a suit and tie, enjoying good food and wine with beloved family and friends. We will miss him deeply and he will remain forever in our hearts.

His legacy will be cherished by his family, colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched. May we all carry forward his kindness, zest for learning, generosity, unconditional love, and core philosophy of treating others the way we would want to be treated.

Please join us for a visitation and celebration of life for Dr. Cortese held Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 5pm-8pm at Leppert Mortuary, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

A private funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a gift in memory of Thomas A. Cortese, JR., M.D., Ph.D. made to Indiana University School of Medicine, Dept. of Dermatology, or Give Kids Art at www.givekidsart.org, which is a non-profit founded by his granddaughter, Kara.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.