Vitaly Sawyna M.D., 62, of Salisbury Township died March 30, 2016, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Wasyl and Halyna Sawyna.

A 1971 graduate of William Allen High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Muhlenberg College in 1975 and his medical degree in 1981 from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

A general and bariatric surgeon, licensed in both Pennsylvania and Florida, he served his surgical residency at Allentown affiliated hospitals from 1981-86.

He was on staff at Sacred Heart Hospital, where he still had surgery privileges, from 1986-07.

From 2007 to 2013, he served as chief of surgery at the former Westfield Hospital, South Whitehall.

He became affiliated with Blue Mountain Health System around 2007 and presently was a surgeon on the staff.

He also had surgical privileges at Easton Hospital.

A fellow of both the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons in 1989 and 1992, respectively, he became a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery in 1989 and the American Board of Abdominal Surgery in 1990.

He was published in numerous medical journals over the years.

A pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, he was certified as an aviation medical examiner, by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1988.

He treasured life and strived to make the quality of life better for his patients.

He continued to do this even after his own death by participating in the Gift of Life Program.

His survivors include daughters, Kelly F. of Philadelphia and Jillian M. of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and fiancée Cherie Kraynick of Allentown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lehigh County Humane Society, 640 Dixon St., Allentown, PA 18103.

Arrangements made by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown,