Dr. William Cuatico

DR. WILLIAM CUATICO neurosurgeon, of Redlands, CA passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on September 1, 2006. He was 75. Born in Manila, Philippines to Mariano and Ong Shiu Hua Cuatico, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with an M.D. He went on to lead a very accomplished career in medicine. After completing an internship at Evangelical Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, MO, and a residency in general and neurological surgery at King' s County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, he became Chief resident and assistant instructor of neurosurgery for King's County Hospital. Dr. Cuatico also completed postgraduate training at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland under professors Norman Dott and John Gillingham who were trained by the father of neurosurgery, Harvey Cushing. Additional postgraduate studies were completed at the University of Montpellier in France and the Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Cuatico was board cer tified, held a fellowship with the American College of Surgeons, and held memberships with the American Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He also did visiting professorsips at UCLA Medical Center and John Hopkins Medical Center. He also trained future doctors as a professor of neurosurgery at State University of New York, Columbia University and University of Missouri-Kansas City before coming to San Bernardino County Medical Center to assume the position of Director of Neurosurgery as well as a clinical p rofessorship at Loma Linda University. Dr. Cuatico also worked as a staff neurosurgeon at both University Medical Center, Fresno, CA and Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He was widely published in both scientific and medical journals. Among his greatest achievements was his invention of a myelogram needle that came to be known as the "Cuatico" myelogram needle. At the time, his innovation made the myelogram, a once acutely painful procedure, a relatively easy and painless one. Aside from his busy career as a doctor he had may diverse interests that included conversation, classical music and travel to new and interesting places. Above all he had a passion of learning and sharing his wisdom with others. From boyhood to the near present, a common memory that many of us have is of him reading voraciously every book that he could find. He was loved and admired by family and friends who will cherish their memories of him. He was a resident of Redlands, CA for the past 17 years. He is s urvived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Beth Cuatico; his son, Patrick; and his daughter, Charlene. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric. Dr. Cuatico's service will be held at the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Church at 115 Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA, 92373. Viewing will be from 11:00-12:00, with a rosary and mass to follow at 12;00 PM on Saturday, September 9, 2006.