My deep condolence to the family. 

Ronnie C.

As many of you know, Cedric was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer that aggressively spread to his bones in the spring of 2022 during our end of 4th year medical school. With fear but immense strength, he embraced and fought hard against his disease. After a year and a half of countless chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he passed peacefully this morning, September 18th 2023 surrounded by me and his immediate family, and with the endless love and support of his friends and family.

Despite both of graduating Cornell in the same year, Cedric and I first met five years ago at our master’s program. We both were then accepted to medical school on the same day, May 30th 2018, the date engraved on our rings, and since then, we have always felt it was fate to have met this way. From day one, we knew we had something special between us, finding love, safety, and sense of being each other’s equals. Anyone who knew Cedric felt his generosity and kindness, and I was lucky to experience it firsthand. Together we shared a love of food, trying new hobbies together like CrossFit, and worked hard to get to our careers in medicine today. We did everything together, to the point that we would sit side by side on the same small desk for hours, studying together. When separated physically, we would still be on the phone, easily talking about anything or just enjoying the silence knowing we were there for each other.

When he got sick, Cedric still lived a full life, making the most of his time in between his chemo cycles every 2 weeks. He traveled to Utah to visit me countless times this year, making it to the Mighty 5 National parks. We hiked a part of Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, the Canyon Overlook and River walk in Zion, the Navajo loop and Queens Garden trail in Bryce, the Double Arch trail in Arches, the Grandview Point Overlook in Canyonlands, Sunset Point in Capitol Reef, and countless more. We even traveled to the middle of the desert to see his favorite site, Antelope Canyon. At every place, there was truly no rock unturned with Cedric.

I will miss him, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will always be the love of my life. He taught me to be more patient, forgiving, and compassionate. As he wished for me and for everyone whose lives were touched by him, his hope is that we continue to live and experience life to the fullest in whatever time we are given on this Earth. In honor of him, I promise to keep hiking, enjoying the outdoors, cherish my friends and family, and practice medicine with mindful compassion.

Cedric, I love you minnow and happy you are at peace now 💕