December 3, 2007      I would like to nominate Dr. Vernon Sondak for the Excellence in Care Award, on behalf of Sarah Thomas, LaDonna Backmeyer and Orland Hetherington.      Dr. Sondak is division chief of Cutaneous Oncology and director of Surgical Education at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. He also is a surgeon in Moffitt’s sarcoma program. But even if he became a professional golfer, he would still be an "LMS doctor" to many of us.      I have seen him only twice as a patient. The first time, I was delighted that he wore a purple LMS wristband.      In the hospital, Sarah told me how caring he had been to her, and I offered to nominate him for this award. She said she appreciated his directness as well as his surgical expertise.      He supported pioneering LMS patients in their efforts to work together and give each other support. As far as I can tell, he was the first sarcoma doctor to join the LMS list at www.acor.org. When he joined in 1997, he complimented patients for their efforts to inform themselves and others. He tried experimental treatments, such as a vaccine, as well as answering mundane questions. Interested in what caused LMS, he asked list members about their backgrounds.      Dr. Sondak treated the list founders, LaDonna and Orland. Orland’s widow, Lynn Hetherington, wrote me: "Vern is a tremendous help to his patients and was very much loved by Orland and LaDonna." Suzie Siegel