Beloved UF pediatric neurologist passes away
The University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics has lost a longtime children’s advocate and colleague.
Shirley Terri Bunch, M.B. B.Chir., M.A., a clinical assistant professor and the director of clinical operations in the division of pediatric neurology, passed away Friday after a courageous three-year fight against cancer. She was 65.
Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Bunch spent 20 years in the United Kingdom, where she studied medicine at Cambridge University and specialized in pediatric neurology. She returned to the U.S. in 1993 and trained at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, now Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, Minn. She then completed residency in child neurology in UF’s division of pediatric neurology, serving as chief resident for two years. Bunch went on to practice in Savannah, Ga., and St. Petersburg, Fla., before returning to Gainesville in 2010 as an assistant professor and director of the pediatric neurology residency program.
Such was her impact on patients and their families, that some traveled from other cities to see her in Gainesville. Her dedication was remarkable — she continued to work until her final days.
“Dr. Bunch dedicated her life, heart and spirit to the care of children,” said Scott Rivkees, M.D., department of pediatrics chair. “She was an inspiration to us all and we are deeply moved by the loss of our good friend. Her legacy lives on in the thousands of boys and girls that she cared for and in the hundreds of trainees that she educated.”
During her tenure as a faculty member at UF, Bunch took great interest in the educational programs of her division and in training medical students and residents. She served as the director of the pediatric neurology rotation, implementing policy changes to improve the efficacy of the program. She also worked with other faculty members to re-establish the child neurology residency program.
Bunch’s great passion for her patients was lauded by her colleagues. She devoted significant time to finding ways to deliver better, patient-centered care and create a more child-friendly atmosphere in the hospital and outpatient clinics. She often brought toys, stickers and wall posters to decorate patient rooms in the clinic.
Colleagues say they will miss her intelligence, broad-based knowledge, compassion and sense of humor.
“Dr. Bunch was a beloved member of the UF College of Medicine, and, especially, the Department of Pediatrics,” said Paul Carney, M.D., chief of pediatric neurology. “She was well respected by colleagues and staff and beloved by her patients.”
Bunch is survived by her husband, Guy David Carter; one son, Chris (Louise) Wells; one grandson, Arthur Wells; and two sisters, Fran Henriques and Teresa Leveque.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 404 N. Main St., in downtown Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bunch’s memory to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265, or www.komen.org; or to the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, 105 SW 128th St., Suite 200, Gainesville, FL 32669, or www.sebastianferrero.org.