Thomas J. Scully

Thomas John

SCULLY, M.D.

Thomas J. Scully, former dean and emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, died September 16, 2008 at his home in Reno. Cause of death was renal failure according to a family member. He was 75 years old.

A native New Yorker, he was born in Jamaica, Long Island on November 14, 1932, to James Alyward and Evangeline (Temple) Scully, who later moved their family of seven children to New Rochelle, NY. There he attended Holy Family School where, in third grade, he met Celia Geoghegan who became his dearest friend, life-long love and future wife. They were married in 1956.

He graduated from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, Colgate University and Albany Medical College of Union University in 1958.

Dr. Scully interned at William Beaumont Army Hospital in EI Paso, TX, and completed a Pediatric Residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Following five years of Air Force service in Madrid, Spain, and San Antonio, TX, he received an honorable discharge as major, then practiced pediatrics for one year in Las Vegas. After two years directing the Pediatric Residency Program at St. Michael's Medical Center in New Jersey, he returned to Nevada in 1969 when the legislature authorized the establishment of the School of Medicine and was one of the school's original faculty members.

During the 28 years prior to his retirement in 1997, he was Professor of Pediatrics and at various times, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Basic Sciences and Research, and Alumni Affairs. He served as Dean during the conversion from a two-year to a four-year degree granting school.

During a 1982-83 sabbbatical year, he was a Visiting Scholar in Medical Ethics at The Hastings Center, a New York-based facility noted for its research and publications in medical ethics. He returned to teach biomedical ethics and, in 1988, coauthored with his wife, a highly-acclaimed book for families on medical ethics. A recognized expert and consultant in the field, he served on several hospital ethics committees.

Dr. Scully served as chairman of the Governor's Maternal and Child Health Advisory Board in 1990 and helped establish the Washoe County Sexual Assault Investigation Team (WCC-SAINT).

He conducted numerous seminars on child abuse and care of disabled children, and was often an expert witness in sexual and physical abuse cases.

He was appointed by four governors during a 16-year period to the State Board of Medical Examiners, where he served as Secretary and President. On the National Board of Medical Examiners, he was instrumental in the development of the new United States Medical Licensing Examination. In 1992, he was honored with a Leadership Award by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the U.S. in recognition of his contributions in the field of physician licensure and discipline.

Twice selected the medical school's outstanding teacher, Dr. Scully was a strong and empathetic student advocate and mentor. He was an avid reader of history and biography, and a lover of music. He had a beautiful baritone voice which served him well the four years he sang in the Colgate “13“, an a cappella singing group that toured the United States, and which he led during his senior year in college.

Tom Scully was a man of his word—dignified, gracious and kind. He considered the opportunity to help start a medical school a unique privilege granted to very few. “There was a risk involved,“ he was quoted as saying in an interview years later. “No doubt about it. But it was still an enormously exciting time, probably the most exciting time of my professional life—to start something from scatch in uncharted waters. Although there were plenty of medical schools in the country to model after, we were trying new things.“

Despite multiple health problems (beginning in 1987 with a kidney transplant), he remained positive, upbeat, and grateful for all life had to offer. He took great pride in his Irish Scot-English heritage which he chronicled in meticulously researched family histories. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm, attention to detail, strength of character and, above all, his love for his wife and family.

He was the founding president of the Good Thinkers Club, an elite group of youngsters who demonstrated at an early age innovative and creative thinking. Grandchildren made up the membership which gave him special delight.

Preceding him in death, were his parents, son Martin J. Scully, and brother, Vincent A. Scully.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by sons Christopher Scully of Reno; Peter Scully of Las Vegas; Geary Scully of Oregon, WI; daughter Leslie Fishburn of Boise, ID; daughters-in-law Barbara Juergens and Michelle Mack; son-in-law Jon Fishburn; granddaughters Catherine, Anne and Ellen Scully; grandsons Benjamin Scully, Evan, Zachary and Joshua Fishburn, as well as brothers Robert E. Scully and James A. Scully; sisters Mary Hiltz, Rebecca Holly, Evangeline Fernandez, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Friday, October 3 at the Carmelite Monastery, 1950 LaFond Drive, Reno. Parking is limited; carpooling is recommended. Private inurnment will take place at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by O'Brien, Rogers and Crosby Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be directed to the Thomas J. Scully M.D., Medical Student Scholarship Fund at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, c/o Stefanie Scoppettone, Pennington Medical Bldg. #0332, University of Nevada, Reno 89557.

The Scully family would like to thank Doctors Larry Nobel, Steven Vicks, Javier Navarte, Michael Kressler, Kelle Brogan and April Lennon, R.N. of St. Mary's Hospice, as well as the staff and caregivers of Comfort Keepers, especially Sharlene Ordahl, Hiroko Suenaga, Gloria White and Mercedes Nidiffer-Pacioles for their excellent care and kindness during the final days of his life. Special thanks go to Tony Diehl of The Town Barbers, and to good friends Joe Melcher and Miles Standish who helped so many times with transportation to doctors appointments on very short notice.