Profession

Obituary: Medicine mourns death of Dr. Ronald P. Bangasser

The physician leader was known for being a tireless advocate for patients and peers.

By — Posted May 21, 2007

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Family physician Ronald P. Bangasser, MD, chair of the American Medical Association Council on Medical Service and a former California Medical Assn. president, died May 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 57.

Dr. Bangasser, of Redlands, Calif., practiced medicine since 1975 and was active in state and national medical societies for nearly 30 years. He was CMA president from 2003 to 2004. Since 2006, he chaired the AMA council that recommends policies and actions for the Association's House of Delegates to consider on socioeconomic factors that influence the practice of medicine.

"His true leadership, as anyone who worked with Ron would attest, derived from the quality of his character," AMA Board of Trustees Chair Cecil B. Wilson, MD, said in a statement. "His insight, his ability to bring a common-sense approach, and his grace in working with others are among the characteristics that enabled him to achieve so much."

Dr. Bangasser was a longtime member of the AMA House of Delegates and served on the Council on Medical Service since 2001. He served on the AMA Foundation's Board of Directors since 2002 and was the foundation's president-elect. Among his many awards, Dr. Bangasser received the foundation's Pride in the Profession Award in 2002. Amid his numerous accomplishments, he was a physician at Beaver Medical Group in Redlands, where he served as medical director and director of external affairs. He specialized in management of chronic complicated wounds and founded the Paul F. Bangasser Wound Care Center (dedicated to his father) at Redlands Community Hospital.

"Ron was always an example of what a doctor should be, operating his wound care clinic, his practice, treating patients in the hospital, all the while serving his patients and colleagues through his advocacy for the CMA," CMA President Anmol S. Mahal, MD, said in a statement.

Dr. Bangasser is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters Debbie Waxler and Sandi Bangasser; and his mother, Florence Bangasser. Donations may be made to the Ronald P. Bangasser, MD, Medical Student Scholarship Fund, c/o the Physicians Memorial Gift & Benevolence Fund, 3993 Jurupa Ave., Riverside, CA 92506.

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