It is with great sadness that we announce that Tommy Pacello, President of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, passed away on November 16th, 2020 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. The entire MMDC family and community mourns this tragic loss.  On behalf of our Board of Directors, leadership team and employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

“Tommy was a larger-than-life figure who brought his remarkable passion and vision to help us all imagine a more vibrant and inclusive Memphis and Medical District. His leadership and friendship will be celebrated by all of us who knew him,” Abby Miller, Executive Vice President, MMDC.

Dr. Lewis Reich, Chairman of the Board of Directors, issued the following statement on behalf of the Board of Directors:  "Tommy Pacello accomplished volumes in his short life and Memphis has lost a true champion.  We were so very fortunate to have been able to get to know and work with him on the Memphis Medical District Collaborative.  His intelligence, dedication, and integrity were values ingrained in Tommy's character.  The MMDC was Tommy Pacello's professional vision, one that he spent the final years of his life building and tirelessly nurturing.  However, his smile turned incandescent when he talked about his wife and two young daughters.  Tommy will be deeply missed.” 

Doug McGowen, COO of the City of Memphis, issued the following statement: "Tommy Pacello showed us all how to live life with intention and how just one Memphian can shape a city for decades to come.  He was a friend and person that we should all aspire to be."  

Tommy was a passionate placemaker and urbanist. In our continued work, we honor and celebrate him by striving to make the Memphis Medical District a place of healing, communion, vibrance, and equity.