BOUCEK, M.D., MARK M., 59, of Plantation Florida and Golden, Colorado died on Feb. 26, 2009 after a long and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert J. Boucek and brother, Braden Boucek. He is survived by his wife Lauri, sons Jack and Matt, daughter Dana, mother Betty Boucek of Naples, brothers Dr. Frank Boucek (Susan) of Naples, Dr. Robert Boucek (Barbara) of Seattle, WA, and sister Mary Beth Whittaker (Lynn) of Salt Lake City, UT. He also leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and admirers. Dr. Boucek was a world renowned pediatric cardiologist who was entirely selfless with his incredible skills throughout his career. There are many people alive and well today---along with countless families blessed with healthy, growing children---because of him. Among his many charitable humanitarian endeavors were frequent trips to Guatemala to care for young children who were void of cardiovascular medical access or unable to afford the life saving procedures Dr. Boucek was able to provide. Dr. Boucek was Director of Pediatric Cardiovascular Services at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, FL. He was Associate Director for Pediatric Transplantation for the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and an executive board member for the Pediatric Heart Failure Society of America. He served as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah College of Medicine, Director of Pediatric Cardiology and the Pediatric Heart Transplant Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He was a prolific medical researcher and co-editor of the "Handbook of Cardiac Drugs-- Basic Science and Clinical Aspects of Cardiovascular Pharmacology." He was considered an expert in pediatric heart failure and transplantation and published many articles on those and other, related subjects. He held visiting professorships at universities around the country and was a frequent speaker at international medical symposia. Dr. Boucek holds a patent for a ventricular access device and method and is frequently cited in "America's Top Doctors." He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in the department of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He then finished his fellowship in pediatrics within the section of cardiology at the University of Utah College of Medicine. The loss of this remarkable man is shared by the thousands of people whose lives he touched both personally and professionally. A service will be held at the T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, Sat. March 7. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dr. Boucek's name to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation, Pediatric Heart Program, 3711 Garfield Street, Hollywood, FL 33021. Arrangements by T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th St. Plantation, FL 33317. 954-587-6888 www.tmralph.com To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.
Published in the Miami Herald on Mar. 1, 2009
