Post by Drillbit Taylor on Aug 25, 2015 22:10:02 GMT -5
He was an icon to Texas Medicine but helped change medicine across the entire country. He was the one who helped create and push life flight servies for emergancy sitatuions. He was also one of the Doctors on call in November of 1963 when JFK got killed. Often seen as a grumpy but lovable guy, he was a true Texas and Medical Icon.
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston medical icon has died. On Tuesday, we learned that trauma surgeon Dr. James "Red" Duke passed away at the age of 86.
Dr. Duke was instrumental in starting up the Life Flight program in the 1970s, which has become the premier air ambulance service in the country.
"He did more to help emergency room care, trauma care than anyone in the medical profession," said Dr. Duke did syndicated television reports that started at Channel 13. Those syndicated reports went all over the country.
While at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Dr. Duke was on call after President John F. Kennedy was shot. He also took care of Texas Gov. John Connally, who was shot at the same time.
Duke was given the nickname "Red" from his childhood curly locks. His trademark looks - his bristly mustache, wire-rimmed glasses -- were part of his persona, as was his country twang.
Duke was born in Ennis, Texas, in 1928. His family moved to Hillsboro, where he went to high school before attending Texas A&M, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
He also earned a divinity degree at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, before reconsidering his career choice and earning his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
Dr. Duke was instrumental in starting up the Life Flight program in the 1970s, which has become the premier air ambulance service in the country.
"He did more to help emergency room care, trauma care than anyone in the medical profession," said Dr. Duke did syndicated television reports that started at Channel 13. Those syndicated reports went all over the country.
While at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Dr. Duke was on call after President John F. Kennedy was shot. He also took care of Texas Gov. John Connally, who was shot at the same time.
Duke was given the nickname "Red" from his childhood curly locks. His trademark looks - his bristly mustache, wire-rimmed glasses -- were part of his persona, as was his country twang.
Duke was born in Ennis, Texas, in 1928. His family moved to Hillsboro, where he went to high school before attending Texas A&M, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
He also earned a divinity degree at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, before reconsidering his career choice and earning his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
