Cape Girardeau pediatrician Jesse R. Ramsey, D.O., F.A.C.O.P., died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 23, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was 53 years old and resided in Jackson. At the time of his death, Dr. Ramsey was the lead pediatric hospitalist for the community's new Pediatric Hospitalist Service, a collaborative effort between Southeast Missouri Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center.

A part of the Cape Girarsee the hospital develop into a regional center for both newborn and pediatric referrals," said Cape Girardeau pediatrician James A. Kinder, M.D., a longtime friend and professional associate of Dr. Ramsey. "Dr. Ramsey bent over backwards to do the right thing. He was always willing to share his expertise with others in the medical community. Jesse Ramsey represented his profession in the finest manner." Dr. Ramsey firmly believed that advanced prenatal and child health programs should be readily available to all and on a local level. In 1979, shortly after joining Southeast's medical staff, he was instrumental in the establishment of Southeast's neonatal intensive care unit. Since the unit opened, hundreds of infants have received specialized care. Dr. Ramsey, who served as director of the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit and transport facility from 1980 to 1982, often fondly referred to those littlest patients as "recall models" who needed extra care to insure a healthy start in life. Dr. Ramsey's interest in perinatal priorities led to a gubernatorial appointment as chairman of the Southeast Missouri Regional Perinatal Advisory Committee, a post he held from 1980-1982. In 1981, Dr. Ramsey received a gubernatorial appointment to the Missouri State Perinatal Advisory Committee.

Dr. Ramsey also played an integral role in the development of Southeast's pediatric special care unit, which opened in early 1981. Dr. Ramsey's dedication to his profession and to children will leave a lasting legacy, said Southeast Missouri Hospital Administrator James W. Wente. "Dr. Ramsey was a dedicated, unselfish, giving and honorable man who served our community and the mission of Southeast Missouri Hospital faithfully since 1979," Wente said. "He was an outstanding physician, well thought of and greatly respected by his peers, professional acquaintances and friends. His death represents a great loss to our medical community and the children of our region."

Care of children with chronic conditions such as congenital heart problems and cystic fibrosis, was also of deep concern to Dr. Ramsey. The special monitoring and testing of these youngsters required frequent trips to St. Louis. Working through St. Louis Children's Hospital, pediatricians James A. Kinder, M.D., and Dr. Ramsey were instrumental in the establishment of satellite St. Louis Children's Hospital cystic fibrosis and congenital heart clinics at Southeast. Dr. Ramsey served as director for the Southeast Missouri Regional Cystic Fibrosis Clinic from 1980-1982. He was chairman of Southeast's Department of Pediatrics from 1989 until 1992. Dr. Ramsey also served on the medical staff for the pediatrics department at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Gary S. Olson, M.D., chairman of Southeast's Department of Pediatrics, commented that Dr. Ramsey earned the respect of both his patients and his peers. "He will be remembered as a caring and compassionate pediatrician whose life of service to his community and his family will be long remembered." Dr. Ramsey's career involved him with the practice of medicine from both the private practice aspect and the hospital-based aspect. From 1980 until 1992, he was affiliated with Pediatric Associates of Southeast Missouri. In 1992, he left private practice to join the emergency services department at Southeast, a position he held until 1999, when he became the area's first pediatric hospitalist.

"Offering new medical services that would benefit the children of our region was always a priority for Dr. Ramsey," said Southeast assistant administrator Karen Hendrickson, Ed.D. "Dr. Ramsey embraced the hospitalist concept and positively impacted its development." Hospitalists are specialists in inpatient care who are responsible for managing the care of hospitalized patients who have no local physician or who are referred to Cape hospitals by physicians in outlying areas.

Throughout his career, Hendrickson observed, Dr. Ramsey's concern for the welfare of children was always foremost. "He worked diligently at both the local and state levels to improve the health care of our children. A sign that once hung in our pediatrics department read, Pediatrics is another word for love.' Dr. Ramsey lived that philosophy every day." Dr. Ramsey was born December 27, 1946, in Fort Worth, Texas, son of Ray F. and Maxine Maley Ramsey.

He was a 1970 graduate of Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth with a B.S. in biology and chemistry. After working as a chemical engineer for Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Dr. Ramsey returned to school and received his D.O. degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1974. He was a member of Sigma Sigma Phi, a national osteopathic honor fraternity, and was graduated at the top of his class.

Dr. Ramsey served his internship and residency in pediatrics at William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was voted the Outstanding Resident Teaching Award for two consecutive years.

In 1977, Dr. Ramsey, then a captain with the U.S. Army, was assigned to West Germany, where he served as chief of pediatrics at the U.S. Army Hospital in Augsburg for two and-a-half years and attained the rank of major. In 1979, he served as chairman for both the International European Pediatrics Seminar and the Child Protection Case Management Team. Dr. Ramsey's academic appointments included affiliations with the European Camps of Chicago City College; Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital; Southeast Missouri State University; and the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.

A fellow of the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Ramsey was active in numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Osteopathic Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, the Missouri Medical Society, the Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society and the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. He served a term as president of the Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society and also served two years as editor of that organization's Medical Journal. From 1989 until 1993, he was a delegate to the Missouri State Medical Association. In 1989, the Cape County Medical Society honored Dr. Ramsey with the President's Award of Outstanding Achievement.

A member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Dr. Ramsey was active with its Men's Bible Study Group and the Christ-Care Group. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association.

On April 8, 1995, he and Kim K. Wallace were married at Cape Girardeau. Survivors include his wife; his parents, who reside in Fort Worth, Texas; two sons, Benjamin J. Ramsey and Luke W. Ramsey, both of the home; five daughters, Jessica S. Wyatt of Cape Girardeau, Sheila R. Gartman of Jackson, Abigale C. Ramsey of Farmington, Maci E. Ramsey and Tess M. Ramsey, both of the home; a brother, John W. Ramsey of Georgetown, Texas; and three grandchildren, Logan R. Clippard of Jackson, Emily I. Gartman of Pewaukee, Wis., and Jacob A. Wyatt of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Alexis M. Ramsey.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home Mount Auburn Chapel.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jesse and Kim Ramsey Family Trust Fund, in care of Steve Green at Union Planters Bank in Cape Girardeau.