We are deeply saddened by the loss of our cherished friend and esteemed colleague, Dr Ben Illum MD, who tragically passed away this past weekend (January 2025). Our hearts go out to his family, colleagues and the many, many people lucky enough to be called “friend” by Ben.
Ben had so many wonderful qualities that it’s almost impossible to list them here. He started his anesthesia residency at UCSD with 10 “Honors” from his medical school rotations and was in the 99th percentile for board scores. His former residency director and long-time Interface volunteer, Dr Dan Lee MD, described him this way; “Ben came with a big heart, a ton of compassion, and wonderfully wry sense of humor. I can still see his self-deprecating smile when he’d done something amazing but was a little shy about it. He was always there for people who needed him; he was one of our first education Chief Residents as a CA-2 and then was a CA-3 Chief. Everyone loved and trusted him; it was such a privilege to know him.”
One of his dear friends who worked with him said, “Ben was the third anesthesia resident I worked with when I took my current position as the first Neurocritical Care NP for the newly minted Neuro ICU at UCSD 12 years ago. We hit it off immediately! Ben was by far one of the smartest humans I’ve ever encountered. Having done years of research before medical school, as a new resident, he exhibited wisdom, skill and clinical intuition which far exceeded his actual level of experience.”
Aside from his brilliance, he was so kind and intuitive. He was able to develop rapport with families in distress so effectively, and was then able to help guide them towards resolving the most difficult decisions they’d ever have to make. All the nurses and his fellow medical staff adored and respected him.
And then the mischief….Ben was always ready to play a goofy joke or laugh about the silliest little things when out of sight from his superiors.
After completing his anesthesia residency, he chose to do a fellowship at UCSD with Anesthesia Critical Care. The following was written by one of his ICU residents who is currently a neuro-anesthesiologist at UCSD; “I have many fond memories of Ben during his time as a resident at UCSD and as my ICU fellow during particularly busy rotations and can attest to the kindness and care he took of all his patients. He really got to know families and patients and was a great clinician.”
Following his ACCM fellowship, Ben took a position as a Critical Care physician at Scripps where he has been well loved and respected. At some point, he decided he wanted to better care for patients with severe neurologic injury as an expert neurologic attending and came back to UCSD as a Neuro-Critical Care fellow, all the while he was working as an attending at Scripps during the beginning days of the pandemic. Despite the stress and days on end without sleep, Ben’s medical prowess was undiminished. He was always on top of his game and was always cheerful and collaborative to work with. Families and patients alike were blessed to have had him on service during those difficult and dangerous months. His friends and colleagues would watch him and be in awe of his never-ending energy and focus.
After finishing his extensive training, he finally decided to join Interface after many years of prodding. With Interface, he found yet a new passion. He was immediately a convert to the cause and with every trip he tried to develop safer and more effective care. He immediately stepped in with his vast expertise to help the Interface leadership plan and improve the way things were done and was he an endless well of ideas and energy. Not to mention he was so fun! He relished going for street tacos, drinking beers by the pool, drunk dancing and overall being truly present with the team and the patients. He absolutely loved it.
Along with being a triple board-certified physician, he also obtained his real estate license, was enrolled in law school at the University of San Diego and had become a first-time dog owner of his beloved little girl Roxy who was the light of his life. More importantly, he was in a relationship with a wonderful ICU nurse named Stephanie and seemed in a really happy and cozy place with her.
In talking to his family recently, I’ve learned that he was a loyal and caring brother and son who wanted nothing but the best for them. In fact, the last time I saw him, he stopped by my house on the way to the zoo with his whole family packed in his car off for a day of fun. He was constantly creating moments where people could be together and celebrate life. Whether it was a party at his house or a large event at the beach, he wanted to have people enjoying life together. It’s as if our collective smiles fed his soul and his mischievous heart.
Ben, you will be missed by so many, and we are all so grateful for the immensely bright light you’ve shone upon all of us.
