Beloved pediatric neurologist and patient advocate passes away

A longtime University of Florida pediatric neurologist who helped found a novel program for children with learning disabilities and in recent years became an advocate for patients in need of lung transplants, Dr. John J. Ross, passed away Tuesday, July 17.

He was 83.

“He was one the finest gentlemen that I knew,” said Paul Carney, M.D., chief of the division of neurology in the College of Medicine department of pediatrics. “One of my first patients back when I first came to UF in 1998 was an 18-year-old who Dr. Ross had taken care of since he was born here at Shands. When I asked what he thought of his doctor, he told me Dr. Ross was the best doctor he ever knew! I think we all agree.”

A professor emeritus of pediatrics, Dr. Ross joined the UF faculty in 1965 as chief of the division of pediatric neurology, a position he held for decades.

In 1981, he teamed with UF special education experts from the College of Education to establish a novel program for children with learning disabilities. Called the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training Program, it took a comprehensive approach to helping children with learning disabilities, from figuring out the underlying cause of the problem to tailoring classroom strategies to meet children’s specific needs. Funded by the Florida Legislature, the program quickly became a model for efforts in other states.

Nowadays, working as a team with experts from other disciplines to develop innovative ways to address problems is almost standard practice, but in 1981 it was still unusual.

“The fact he was able to reach out to colleagues on other parts of campus as equal partners and then have the idea be accepted, it was an innovative landmark,” said Gerold Schiebler, M.D., chairman emeritus of the department of pediatrics. “Everyone recognized he was someone with 1,000 percent integrity who was doing what was best for children.”

Dr. Ross was never one to let obstacles come between him and doing something that would help others, especially children, said his colleagues and family.

“Dad genuinely believed he was put on this Earth to serve others and make a difference in their lives,” said his son, John Ross II. “He had a real zest for life. He had tremendous energy and constantly looked for opportunities where he could make a difference in the lives of others — in all areas of his life.

“Dad was the type of person who consistently made a meaningful difference in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him well. That’s what he set out to do — make a difference in people’s lives. He was also an absolutely amazing husband and father.”Dr. Ross continued to find new ways to help people even after he had retired. In 2010, he worked with state Legislators and a lung transplant recipient to secure more than $1 million for UF researchers to study a common problem in lung transplantation — chronic rejection.

In 2009, he established a community program for parents, coaches and young athletes to learn about proper training and nutrition to help ward off sports-related injuries.

The program was close to his heart. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Dr. Ross was a lifelong athlete who spent his early years on the court or on the track. At Robert E. Lee High School, he was a champion hurdler and part of a track team that won five straight state titles in the 1940s. He was accomplished on the tennis court, too. He started playing at age 9 and played competitively throughout college and the grueling years of his medical training. This passion inevitably led him to face off against Arthur Ashe in a doubles match in 1962, and he continued playing throughout his life.

Dr. Ross was a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency training at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, where he met his wife, Nancy. Following residency, he completed fellowships in pediatric neurology and neuropathology and received additional training in adult neurology.

He received numerous accolades throughout his career, such as being named School Administrator of the Year for his work with MDTP, and even ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 2002. But what friends and colleagues say they will remember most are his integrity, his unwavering commitment to his wife and three children, and how he treated others.

“He was not just a great tennis player, which he was; a great doctor, which we all know; and a wonderful family man, friend and mentor. He was also someone who made others feel like they mattered,” Carney said. “We will miss him. He is one of a kind.”

Dr. Ross is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Hays Ross of Gainesville; children, MaryAnn Ross Neill (Michael), John Joseph Ross II (Alexandra), and Edward Henessey Ross; brother, Robert Ross; twin sister, Jeanne Jinks (Bert); nine grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A rosary service will be held at 5 p.m. today, July 20, followed by a viewing and visitation at 5:30 p.m. at Williams Thomas Funeral Home, 823 NW 143rd St. (CR 241 North), Newberry, Fla. On Saturday, July 21, a mass will be held at 9 a.m. at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the John Ross Memorial Fund at the University of Florida Foundation, PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604.