By Patrick Wascovich

Dr. Ernest Poulos

Dr. Ernest Poulos, former Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Emeritus Director of Surgical Training at the former St. Paul University Hospital, died on Oct. 30 after a lengthy illness. He was 90.

A former President of the St. Paul Medical Center staff, Dr. Poulos was honored in 1995 with the creation of the Ernest Poulos, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Surgery at UT Southwestern.

“I was one of those young surgeons who first knew Dr. Poulos as a resident at UT Southwestern on rotations. He brought practicality, good cheer, and a sense of caring to the operating room and to the bedside. These values influence me to this day,” said Dr. William Turner Jr., Professor of Surgery and holder of the Ernest Poulos, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Surgery.

Dr. Poulos also is remembered as a masterful teacher from his positions as St. Paul Medical Center's Director of Surgical Training (1962-1997), Chairman of St. Paul Department of Surgery, and full-time Clinical Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern. Dr. Poulos, who specialized in vascular surgery, took great pride in having trained more than 70 surgeons, all of whom passed their boards.

“Dr. Poulos did monumental work on behalf of UT Southwestern University Hospitals,” Dr. Turner said. “As we are reminded daily, hospital growth has become an essential part of the Medical School’s existence. He provided vision, fortitude, and patience when UT Southwestern needed them the most.”

Born in 1926 in Texarkana, Texas, Dr. Poulos grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas. He served in the Navy during World War II before enrolling at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Poulos earned his M.D. degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1950 and served in the Navy until 1953, when he returned to train in general surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Poulos retired from private practice and teaching in 1997 after 35 years as Director of Surgical Training at St. Paul. His honors include the Max Cole Award by the Dallas County Medical Society and special recognition by the St. Paul Medical Center Board of Trustees. A sculpture of Dr. Poulos, created by Dr. Ben J. Wilson, former Chairman of Surgery at UT Southwestern and Chief of Surgery at Parkland from 1952 to 1960, was for years featured at St. Paul and currently is on display in the Department of Surgery Resident Library.

An active member of many professional associations, Dr. Poulos served in leadership roles in the Southwest Surgical Congress (1993 President), the Texas Surgical Society (1991 President), the American College of Surgeons (1986-1992 Governor At Large), the Dallas County Medical Society (1986 President), the Dallas Society of General Surgeons (1970 President), and the North Texas Chapter of American College of Surgeons (1970 President).

Dr. Poulos was preceded in death in 1992 by Joyce Poulos, his wife of 42 years. He is survived by three children – Phil Poulos of Burbank, California, Priscilla Miller of Dallas, and Jamie Comeaux of Dallas – four adult grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his brother, Dr. George Poulos, and his sister, Mrs. Helen Burrows, and their families.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ernest Poulos, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Surgery at UT Southwestern, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888, or online at the Make a Donation to UT Southwestern website.

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Dr. Turner also holds the Carla and Paul Bass Professorship in Medical Education Honoring Charles C. Sprague, M.D.