Mary D. Lekas

Mary D. Lekas, of East Providence, R.I.; Jan. 24. “Dr. Mary,” as she was fondly called by those who knew her, was a practicing otolaryngologist specializing in head and neck surgery. Her professional career included private practice with privileges at Rhode Island Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital and Miriam Hospital. Her career featured many firsts, such as being the first woman to head the otolaryngology department at Rhode Island Hospital as chief surgeon from 1983 until she retired in 1996. She was also the first woman to be professor of clinical otolaryngology at Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School and, in 1980, she was named the first woman to be elected president of the New England Otolaryngological Society. In 1992 Dr. Mary was named Rhode Island’s Woman Physician of the Year, and she was awarded the president’s citation from the Triological Society in 1993. She was past president of the Providence Medical Association and was recipient of the Providence Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award. She won numerous recognitions and accolades during her 60-year career. She was an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston, R.I., singing in the church choir and serving as a member of the Good Samaritan Ladies Philoptochos Society. In recognition of her service to the Annunciation Church, she was named the 2009 recipient of the Metropolis of Boston Laity Award. She is survived by nieces and nephews.