Dixit and Patel families at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (December 2025)

I was so saddened to hear of Sam’s passing.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, colleagues and patients. His steady leadership and expertise will be missed in the AMSSM boardroom. Sam was a caring, thoughtful colleague and I feel blessed to have known him.  

There are no words that can truly express my deepest condolences for the sudden and tragic loss of, Sameer from your family's life.  I hope that your heart can be comforted by years of sweet memories and tender moments together.  May you be buoyed and supported by loved ones during this sorrowful time of great loss. 

We are deeply saddened and sorry to hear about Sameer's passing.  Our deepest condolences and prayers to his family,  Rachna, Shiv, and Siya. We always remember him at neighborhood Rushmore gatherings and meeting with the kids. He was a genuine, wonderful, and kind person. Heartbroken for his family. Praying for more strength and healing for them.  We are for you. 

Aaina & Bikram 

HSS PSM holiday party 2024 — with Marci Goolsby and Lisa Callahan

So sorry for your loss. Sam was a wonderfully kind gentleman, physician, colleague, and friend. He will be missed, but he leaves us with many great memories...rest peacefully my friend. 

Rachana, Shiv, and Siya,

In reflecting on what helps move us all collectively forward, it's not the tech, the material goods, or the discoveries; it truly is due to the people whose light shines infectiously upon us and spurs us to do better. That is Sam. His calm, caring and uplifting spirit; his genuine commitment to helping others; and his striving efforts to help make that around him better served as a positive example that amplified the good we have in the world. The world was made better for that, and I am so thankful to have known him.  

We are still in shock and keep wishing this was just a bad dream. Sameer Jijaji had such a kind heart, a quiet wit, and a truly down-to-earth nature. Whenever we met, he would listen so attentively, then gently chime in with his witty remarks—often teasing Rachana di about her Hindi or playfully questioning something she said, always with so much warmth and love.

Rachana di, please know that you and the kids are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We are here for you as you navigate this difficult time—always just a phone call away, for anything at all. Sameer Jijaji was taken far too soon, and he will be deeply missed.

-Atul, Nisha, Pranshu, Trishika

— with AND WITH Ashley Austin

— with With Jim K

— with Sam with John DiFiori and Marci Goolsby

— with Sam with HSS Fellows and staff

I first met Sam as a fellow at the Hospital for Special Surgery in 2020. He was an unwavering source of support for me during the year, both personally and professionally. Sam was a wealth of knowledge and a fantastic educator in Sports Medicine, as demonstrated by his numerous accolades over the years, but left a lasting impression by the way that he carried himself. We would often talk about our upbringing in similar Indian communities in Maryland and Virginia, respectively, and I often sought his guidance on how to strike a balance between work and family in my early career.

As I moved on into practice in Connecticut, I called Sam regularly and leaned on him for wisdom and guidance as to how to navigate my practice. The conversation would eventually go on to talk about our families and life, as he was raising children just a few years older than mine. We would share lighthearted stories and I always left those talks feeling as though they could have lasted for many more hours. He was an easy conversationalist and always willing to lend an ear or a hand, no matter how busy he was.

Sam was a role model in every sense of the word and his legacy will live on in all those he inspired to be better physicians and people, myself included. My deepest condolences to Rachana and the rest of the Dixit family. 

Finishing up another productive AMSSM Board Meeting! — with AMSSM Board

When Morteza gave us a ride from the AMSSM Board Meeting to the team-building event at Red Rocks so we didn't have to ride the bus! — with Christina Master

Team-building at Red Rocks for AMSSM Board and Staff and Organizers and Faculty from Fellows Conference — with AMSSM Board and Staff and Organizers and Faculty from Fellows Conference

AMSSM Board Meeting/ATPC at a hole in the wall taco place, Taqueria De Diez, that Sam found that was AMAZING. — with Siobhan Statuta, Sameer Dixit and Christina Master

The last time I saw Sam was at the AMSSM Board Meeting and ATPC last month. As usual, he was full of life and energy and never-ending funny stories, as well as his thoughtful insights on all of the pressing issues facing organization boards in this day and age. He told his stories in his usual self-deprecating manner - stories that were just amazing and unbelievable in his amazing work that he does in sports medicine and yet, when we told him they were amazing experiences - he just shook his head and said, "It's no big deal. Really." And that just sums up Sam's humility and servant-leadership  example. He was a giant - in the field of sports medicine, on the field, and in real life, which sometimes gets lost in this day and age of instant and fleeting fame and notoriety on social media. Sam was a person of true substance when many are smoke and mirrors. While he was self-effacing about all of his own incredible accomplishments, he regularly built up his friends and colleagues, constantly teaching, encouraging, and genuinely caring for those around him. We will miss him deeply and world is a lesser place with his absence. Rachana, Shiv, and Siya - your dad was family, and you are family, too. Anything we can help with - please reach out. We have your back, like your husband/dad had ours. Sending so much love - Tina Master

The "Moustache Road Trip" to move Sameer from San Francisco back to Maryland

Sometimes, initial impressions are spot-on. 

When Sam was being recruited to HSS, several of his future colleagues joined for dinner at an iconic NYC venue. Sam immediately impressed with his pitch-perfect mix of professionalism and approachability, his calm demeanor, easy-going personality, and endearing smile. To seal the deal, he brought his secret weapon, Rachana, who charmed even the fiercest surgeon at the table with her warmth, beauty and poise. We were thrilled when Sam chose to join us at HSS.

Shortly after Sam arrived in NYC, I had the privilege of working closely with him as team physicians for the New York Knicks—-during the pandemic! We worked long hours as if we were interns again, taking care of athletes, their families, and many staff members, during one of the most intensely difficult and memorable times in healthcare. Sam was the consummate teammate: oh-so-smart yet humble, rock-steady and unfailingly dependable—-and crucially, witty, at the exact moments we needed a bit of levity. He perfectly embodied the classic sports expression: there is no “I” in team.

Sam was wise beyond his years, possessing a keen ability to appreciate both the forest and the trees simultaneously. And while he would always cheerfully go the extra mile professionally, whether for an athlete, patient, or colleague, it was apparent that Rachana, Shiv, and Siya were the undisputed center of his world. The PPE and masks we wore couldn’t hide his joy and pride whenever he spoke about his family.

Although I am deeply saddened by his passing, I am grateful that our paths crossed as they did. He was a true gem.

Sending love and sympathy,

Lisa Callahan 

I was looking at old emails between me and Sam. I came across an email where he was requesting our support for the AMSSM Board of Directors. He used a quote that I think all would agree with here: 'Leadership is service, not position.' Sam spoke about being lucky to have the opportunity to serve AMSSM. I think we are the lucky ones to have Sam as a part of our lives, leading us. I'm sitting here with tears and not knowing what to say... Sam and I shared stories about the challenges of being a team physician. He always approached this with the upmost integrity, humility and professionalism. He will be missed dearly.