Dr. Ralph Michael Vicari, 63, of Melbourne died May 26th, 2017. He was born in Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Science Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame and his Medical Doctorate with honors from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC and his fellowship in Cardiology at Rush-Presbyterian - St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. He began practicing Cardiology at Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates in Melbourne, FL in 1985, where he remained until 2013. From 1999 - 2011 he led MIMA Century Research Associates as Director-Chairman. He also served for 13 years on MIMA's Board of Directors and held positions as Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Chairman of the Coronary Care Unit Committee and Heart Board Advisory Center Group at Holmes, and Consulting Cardiologist for both the Florida Marlins and the Washington Nationals. He pursued his passion for helping Veterans at the Viera Veteran's Administration Clinic as a Cardiologist until the day he passed, helping create a life-saving Heart Failure Clinic at their facility.

He was published in over 25 national scientific journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, contributed to over 150 research studies most of which as a Principal Investigator, and delivered hundreds of lectures nationally and internationally. A natural teacher and mentor, he proudly instructed students throughout his career at the University of Florida, Baylor College of Medicine, NOVA University, Lincoln School of Medicine, and the University of Central Florida. He held several leadership positions in lipid groups including Florida Lipid Associates, the Florida Lipid Foundation, the National Lipid Association, and the South East Lipid Association. He took great pride in volunteering his time for lipid awareness initiatives, in particular commissioning the Atherosclerosis and Teen Eating (ATE) study showing that even brief lipid education could improve dieting choices in high school students, contributing to the Cholesterol Counts Awareness Campaign encouraging all Americans to check their lipid profiles, and campaigning for earlier detection of dyslipidemia to address at-risk patients proactively.

He leaves his wife of 35 years, Elaine (Montel) Vicari; his daughter, Katherine Hall and her husband, David Hall; his son, Brian Vicari and his wife, Michelle Vicari; four grandchildren Mick, Meara, Brennan, and Taryn; his parents, Ralph and Mary Ann Vicari; sister Michele Vicari-Christensen; many other family members and close friends; two beloved dogs Luigi and Cappuccino; and many grateful patients whom he also counted among his friends. He was an avid philanthropist donating to many causes such as the Foosaner Art Museum, and was a member of the Sorin Society at the University of Notre Dame. He generously volunteered his time for many causes such as standing in as Santa Clause for children at the Bright Star Center for Grieving Children and Families.

His explicit wishes were to not have a funeral - where he would be remembered with sadness - but a "Celebration of Life" where he will be remembered with fondness and joy. The celebration's date and location will be announced at a later time.