JAMES BACOS

BACOS James Michael Bacos June 1, 1927 - June 6, 2018 Dr. James Bacos of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away on 6th June, 2018 at the age of 91. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Bacos attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Corps of Cadets before being called to active service in the Second World War. In 1946, Dr. Bacos returned to VPI to complete his studies. He earned his degree in Biology there, and in 1948 began medical studies at the Duke University School of Medicine. Upon graduation, he was called back to active service in the US Air Force and stationed in Keflavik, Iceland where he met his future wife Arny. Upon his return to the United States, Dr.Bacos completed his medical studies at Duke. During that time, he earned multiple honors - Dr. Bacos was an Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society recipient in his senior year, and chosen President of the Davison Club, a prestigious organisation at Duke Medical School. Upon leaving Duke, he was assigned to Wilford Hall Air Force Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base where he served as Chief of the Cardiac Lab until his discharge from the Service in 1963. Dr. Bacos then accepted a NIH grant to act as Professor of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology at the Washington Hospital Center, a 900-bed facility in the nation's capital. At the Center, he built the first coronary care unit in the metropolitan area, and later played the leading role in creating the city's first mobile coronary care unit. During this time, he also established the first cardiac catheterization lab in the metropolitan area. Together with his good friend and colleague, Cardiac Surgeon George Garcia, the landscape of coronary care and infrastructure available to patients in the area was transformed. Dr. Bacos leaves behind a legacy of state-of-the-art cardiovascular care in the district, and a centre of excellence which enjoys national renown to this day. Dr. Bacos was also Assistant Professor of Medicine at GeorgeWashington University Hospital, where he practiced from 1966-1974. In addition, he was very active at MontgomeryGeneral Hospital in Olny, Maryland, linking for the first time coronary patients in outlying regions of the District to the state-of-the-art facilities at the WHC. Dr. Bacos remained as Chief of Cardiology at the WHC for 20 years, and in 1982 entered private practice. He retired in 2000 and spent his days enjoying his house, his garden, his family and of course golf at his beloved Congressional Country Club. Dr. Bacos is survived by his wife Arny, his sons James and Jon, his daughter Alethea, his grandson James Christopher-John, as well as his brother John and sister Hope. We will be celebrating the life of Dr. Bacos at a memorial service in the coming weeks -invitations will be forthcoming in the near future. In the meantime, we have established a legacy memorial page created by the firm of Joseph Gawlers & Son, Funeral Directors, where those who wish to may express their condolences. In lieu of flowers memorials in Dr. Bacos name may be made to the American Heart Association.