John J. “Jack” Downes, Jr., M.D., of Philadelphia, PA, died peacefully on December 17, 2021 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) with his family by his side. He was 91.
Dr. Downes was a trailblazer in the fields of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine for more than half a century: a visionary pioneer, a master clinician, a rigorous educator, an inspirational leader, and a true gentleman. Over a period of almost 30 years, he was Director of the pediatric intensive care unit (1967–1972) and then Anesthesiologist-in-Chief and Director of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (1972–1996) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Long after he officially ‘retired’, he continued to work for the needs of sick children. For over 25 years he served was medical director of the Pennsylvania Ventilator-Assisted Children's Home Program.
Dr. Downes came to the University of Pennsylvania for his residency training in anesthesiology (1959-1963) and NIH fellowship in pharmacology (1961-1963) after getting his education at Loyola University School of Medicine, internship at Indianapolis General Hospital and 2 years of US Public Health Service with the Division of Indian Health in South Dakota and Tacoma WA. His defining moment was in January 1967, when The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia inaugurated its pediatric intensive care unit—the first of its kind in North America. He and his colleagues subsequently trained an entire generation of pediatric anesthesiologists and intensivists and set a standard of care and professionalism that continues to the present day.
He approached medicine as a moral calling. He was a tireless advocate for improving access to the best care possible for every child of any background, disability, or ability to pay. As lifetime student of history, he dedicated most of his retirement years to writing and lecturing about the history of his field, a special treasure for trainees and faculty alike.
Dr. Downes received many honors for his achievements, but he remained humble. He always said that "everything was a team effort" and "none of my accomplishments would have been possible without the extraordinary group of dedicated physician and nurse colleagues who were exceptionally innovative, compassionate and fierce advocates for the best care of children." He would always credit his mentor, Dr. Leonard Bachman, his close associate, Dr. Russell Raphaely. He was forever grateful for the support of his wife, JoAnn, and his family.
Many of his colleagues, friends and family will miss his annual sing-a-long parties where he entertained a crowd at his piano. His children and grandchildren will remember him as a wonderful story teller, ski instructor and fishing coach.
He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn S. Downes. He is survived by their children: Maggie Downes-Angus (Jeff) and Kate Downes (Matt), John Downes and Peter Downes (Ivana), grandchildren: Jennifer Garson (Brett), Katie Downes-McInvaille (Morgan), John Downes-Angus (Elizabeth), Jason Nadel (Kristin), Jessica Nadel (Justin), Bruce Downes, Molly Brug, Joe McGee (Khanh), and great grandchildren: Micah, Rowan, Asher, and Liam.
A celebration of life will be planned in the near future when the pandemic has slowed and it is safer for everyone. An announcement will follow.
Contributions in his honor may be made to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia or Philabundance.
Additional memorial write ups about Dr. Downes may be found at the following links:
https://pedsanesthesia.org/in-memoriam-john-j-jack-downes-md/
https://ronlitman.substack.com/p/in-memoriam-john-j-jack-downes
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