What's Happening?

John Arthur Coller, MD, a renowned surgeon and innovator in the field of colon and rectal surgery, passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Rochester, New York, Coller had a distinguished career at Lahey Clinic Medical Center, where he introduced flexible colonoscopy and performed the first Ileoanal Pouch Surgical Procedure in New England. His contributions to medicine include the development of the first Hepatitis B Blood Test and the creation of a continually-perfused anorectal manometry system. Coller was also a founding member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons and co-founded OceanMed, a telehealth system for maritime medical emergencies. Beyond his medical achievements, Coller was an avid sailor, participating in numerous yacht races and serving as Fleet Surgeon for the Eastern Yacht Club.

Why It's Important?

John Coller's work in colon and rectal surgery has had a lasting impact on the medical community, particularly in the areas of surgical innovation and patient care. His introduction of flexible colonoscopy and the Ileoanal Pouch Surgical Procedure has improved outcomes for countless patients. Coller's dedication to teaching and research has influenced a generation of surgeons and gastroenterologists. His pioneering efforts in telehealth with OceanMed highlight the potential for technology to enhance medical care in remote settings. Coller's legacy extends beyond medicine, as his passion for sailing and commitment to family and community have left a lasting impression on those who knew him.

AI Generated Content

For the benefit of users - Parts of this article may include content generated using AI tools. Our teams are making active and commercially reasonable efforts to moderate all AI generated content. Our moderation processes are improving however our processes are carried out on a best-effort basis and may not be exhaustive in nature. We encourage our users to consume the content judiciously and rely on their own research for accuracy of facts. We maintain that all AI generated content on our platform is for entertainment purposes only. To know more about how we use AI, you can write to us at

Close AI Generated Content