In Memoriam
Peter Dignan, MD
Cincinnati Children’s has lost an exceptional physician, an inspiring teacher and a gentleman. Peter St. John Dignan, MB, ChB, passed away on Saturday, April 30, at age 87, of complications following abdominal surgery.
To walk the halls of the medical center with him was humbling. He seemed to know everyone by name, regardless of their position, and frequently stopped to inquire about the well-being of their specific family members. He was the first physician to receive the Edwards Award, which honored outstanding Cincinnati Children’s employees for job performance exemplifying the medical center’s mission and values. For Dignan, this was not a “job.” This is who he was.
He graduated from Auckland University in New Zealand and obtained his medical degree from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He then completed his pediatric residency at the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Through a connection with the professor there, Dignan was invited to come to Cincinnati Children’s to serve as the assistant director of the Outpatient Department. Dignan, his wife, Paddy, and their two young children arrived here in 1962. Although he planned to stay for one year, it was Cincinnati’s good fortune that he remained here permanently.
In 1965 he joined Jack Rubinstein, MD, as the assistant director of the Hamilton County Diagnostic Clinic for the Mentally Retarded. This was the precursor of the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, of which Dignan was a founding member. In 1972 he collaborated with the renowned teratologist, Josef Warkany, MD, in establishing the Human Genetics Division, which he directed for 22 years. Among his many other responsibilities, he was an active member of the Human Research Subjects Protection Committee (Institutional Review Board) for more than two decades, frequently serving as vice-chairman.
These important achievements contributed significantly to the growth and reputation of Cincinnati Children’s from the 1960s until his retirement in 1994. However, he will be remembered not only for these contributions to the institution but for his contributions at a professional and personal level. In testimonies from associates, patients, nurses, and students, repeated terms describing Dignan are “compassionate” and “a gentleman.”
In the 1960s and 70s, there were few, if any, genetic counselors. It was well-known that Dignan was available day or night, weekdays or weekends, to provide diagnoses and counsel to the parents of newborn infants with frequently devastating genetic conditions. While this may not have saved many lives, he did make life more bearable for hundreds of families during trying times. In 1993 the president of the Down Syndrome Association of Cincinnati noted that Dignan “consistently brings sensitivity and understanding to new parents of children with Down Syndrome. He brings hope to parents when things seem hopeless.”
At graduation in 1987, he received the Golden Apple Award, which is presented by the senior class in recognition of the most outstanding teacher during the clinical years. In fact, throughout his career, he taught us all, by example, how to be better physicians.
In 1992 he received the Founder's Award of the Cincinnati Pediatric Society, which “honors members of the medical profession who have accomplished exemplary results in basic or clinical research demonstrating distinguished contributions to the health and welfare of the children in our community.” At that time, Rubenstein noted that Dignan “is truly an anachronism. An endangered species. His loyalty to his profession, his division, to Cincinnati Children’s and the university, and his professional and personal ethics are becoming increasingly rare or extinct.”
Retirement enabled him to spend more time with his family, whom he adored. He read extensively, especially history and biographies. As a transplant to Cincinnati, he became an enthusiastic Reds fan. In order to be able to follow international news, he would wake up at 5 am to listen to the BBC. He studied painting at the Art Academy of Cincinnati where he developed remarkable skill and creativity with watercolors. He created magnificent scenes and each December produced his much-awaited holiday cards. These were inscribed in ink with his unique calligraphic penmanship – the same meticulous writing style that jumped off the page when he wrote in patients’ medical records.
An extraordinary model of what it means to be a healer in time of need, Dignan will be remembered affectionately and respectfully by patients, associates and friends privileged to know him. Truly, he made the world a better place.
Peter Dignan is survived by Paddy, his beloved and supportive wife of 56 years, and by his adored and devoted children--Andrew, Alison (Mark Kissling), Neil, Elizabeth (Betsy) – and by his loving grandchildren, Alexandra and Madeleine Kissling.
-- Irwin Light, M.D.
Warren W. Bailey, MD,
a cardiothoracic surgeon who practiced at Cincinnati Children’s from 1983 to 1998, died on March 31, when he lost his footing and drowned in the Taylor River, near Port Alberni, BC, while fly fishing.
Born on July 1, 1944, in Ketchikan, Alaska, Bailey grew up in Petersburg and attended Montana State University. He earned his MD from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1970 and completed his residency in general and cardiac surgery at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. In addition to his time in Cincinnati, he spent part of his career in Seattle, WA.
Fred Ryckman, MD, senior vice president, Medical Operations, at Cincinnati Children’s, remembered Bailey as a master surgeon who laid the groundwork for the future formation of the Heart Center.
Following his retirement, Bailey and his wife, Sandy, moved to Qualicum Beach in British Columbia where he enjoyed golfing, boating, fly fishing and salmon fishing with family and friends. He actively served his community and cared about environmental issues, as evidenced by his work with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Nanoose Power Squadron and SOS Children’s Village.
In addition to his wife, Sandy, Bailey is survived by three children, 5 grandchildren, two sisters and one brother.
Brian I. Bowles, MD,
passed away on April 13, in Cottonwood, AZ, at the age of 68. He was a community pediatrician in Cincinnati from 1977 to 1998, who had a flourishing practice on North Bend Road. He was part of the inaugural staff at Winton Hills Health Center, and he was a member of Cincinnati Pediatric Services, where he cared for high-risk newborns in area hospitals.
Bowles was a native of Buxton, Ontario, in Canada. He earned his MD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and came to Cincinnati Children’s for his pediatric residency (1974-1977). After retiring from his medical practice, he and his family relocated to Arizona where he began a new career working for the Coulter Motor Company.
Bowles will be remembered for his warm bedside manner and sense of humor, as well as his love of model trains and baseball. He is survived by his wife, Dolores, three daughters and four grandchildren.
