Ronald M. Davis, MD (1956-2008)
AMA immediate past president succumbs to pancreatic cancer.
Public service from an early age
Before he was a physician, 17-year-old Davis went to Ecuador, traveling from village to village vaccinating children as part of an Amigos de las Americas program. Writing about the experience in his monthly message to physicians, Dr. Davis described how it solidified his interest in preventive medicine and public health. He urged physicians and medical students to support or participate in health services overseas and to find their purpose in life (AMNews, March 24/31)
An underlying sense of humor
Dr. Davis was among several physicians asked to pick a movie that best described his first year in organized medicine. Dr. Davis, then a trustee on the AMA board, replied: "It's hard to choose just one movie. When I was elected I had 'Great Expectations' that we'd have a 'Deep Impact' on the major challenges confronting medicine today. But the problems in medicine are so daunting that our goals often seem like 'Mission Impossible.' Pessimists believe we're facing 'Apocalypse Now,' but I think 'It's a Wonderful Life.' If an angel re-created the world without an AMA to defend the practice of medicine, we'd find ourselves in the 'Jaws' of our enemies. With the AMA at the helm, we have a good chance to survive 'The Perfect Storm.' "(AMNews, Oct. 28, 2002)
Leaving a legacy
Wrapping up his year as AMA president, Dr. Davis gave an emotional and inspirational speech to delegates at the opening session of the 2008 Annual Meeting. (Dr. Davis' speech) Continuing to be very public about his advancing cancer, Dr. Davis noted that respondents to an unscientific survey had proclaimed "bald men are hot." Knowing his health would not allow him to attend November's Interim Meeting, Dr. Davis wrote a letter to the house. (Dr. Davis' letter) He died before the meeting opened. Delegates remembered him with a video tribute and a moment of silence.