Adolf Stafl M.D., PhD.

Passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2020 at the age of 88.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Adolf and Anna Stafl, and his son, Dr. Jan Stafl (Liba). He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Jarmila Stafl, his son, Zdenek  Stafl (Lisa), his grandchildren Erik Stafl (Andrea), Dr. Lenka Siemens (Cornelius), Natalie Ferguson (Jeff), Sydney Stafl, and Sam Stafl, as well as great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends and colleagues.

Dr. Stafl was born in Prague, Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia), and became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1974. He received his education at the Medical School of Charles University in Prague, and ultimately became a Resident in Gynecology and Obstetrics and thereafter became an Assistant Professor. After coming to the United States, he became a Resident in Pathology at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and a Fellow in the Department of Genecology & Obstetrics at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He joined the staff at the Medical College of Wisconsin as an Assistant Professor in 1969, thereafter becoming a full professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He developed and brought with him an instrument virtually unheard of in the United States, to demonstrate how its use could see through false negatives that occur in some 42 percent of traditional pap smears. In 1981, Stafl patented Cervicography, a technique combining colposcopy’s close up view of cervical tissue, and his training in photography. Not long ago, standard treatment required removal of the uterus with a complete hysterectomy, preventing many young women from ever bearing children. Because of Stafl, practically all cervical cancer might be detected while it is 100 percent curable. He later was elected as President of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, and President of the American Society for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Dr. Stafl was a world authority on Colposcopy for early detection of cervical cancer and was a member of numerous national and local medical professional societies.

Stafl authored and co-authored over 58 publications in journals, 4 books, and chapters in over 19 books. He was an invited speaker and lecturer at over 126 conferences around the world. His major professional achievements included introduction of Colposcopy in the United States, and the introduction of laser surgery in gynecology. Stafl received the Citizen of the Year award in 1986 and was given honorary membership in 8 International Societies. Other honors included Honorary Professor, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic and Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award, American Society for Colposcopy and Clinical Pathology.

Dr. Stafl was revered by many of his students and respected by his colleagues. He was dearly loved by his wife, his family and his dear friends, and he will be missed for many years to come.

Given the current global situation preventing any funeral, there will be no services at this time. Details for a memorial service in honor of our dear Adolf will be shared at a later date.