David Bolam, MD, former associate professor of the UNMC Division of Neonatology, died July 13. He retired from UNMC just two weeks earlier after nearly 52 years of service. Dr. Bolam, 79, is considered an innovator in the field of neonatology.
"His career included initiating the first neonatal transports across the state of Nebraska in the back of his station wagon, and the tens of thousands of infants he cared for are all better because of his care," said Ann Anderson-Berry, MD, medical director, NICU, and UNMC Division Chief of Neonatology. "He was an educator not only to students, but also to nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners and a mentor and colleague to so many physicians."
Dr. Bolam is survived by his three children and five grandchildren. He shared this piece of advice to physicians last year:
"Find joy in the reward of taking care of patients and working with the team of nurses. Nurses provide the most direct level of care to the patients you are treating. It is so important to respect the knowledge and experience that your nurses bring to the team."
"I had the distinct honor of working with Dr. Bolam for 34 years," said Carl V. Smith, MD, chair of the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. "Time and time again he demonstrated his commitment to UNMC and more importantly to the health of infants across the state. As medical director of the NICU, he was instrumental in establishing a number of pioneering projects, including neonatal surfactant administration and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. These efforts improved the survival and quality of life for many of our tiniest and most fragile patients. His efforts will be long remembered."
"Dr. Bolam was an amazing colleague, friend, and mentor," said Dr. Anderson-Berry.
"We are privileged to have had him at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine for more than 50 years. He was brilliant with medical, historical and trivia knowledge that was surpassed by few. But more importantly he was kind, funny and caring. He was an advocate for women, myself and the nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners he worked with and for the families we care for.
"He played a huge part in shaping neonatology in the state of Nebraska and was named a Physician of Distinction at Nebraska Medicine, an honor that was truly deserved. Retiring just weeks ago, Dr. Bolam did what he loved until the very end. We are going to miss his presence immensely but are all better for knowing him and for his work."
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Dr. Bolam’s was always a gentleman and treated everyone with such dignity- patients, colleagues.
Deepest condolences to Dr. Bolam's family and to our Neonatology Division.
Dr. Bolam was truly an inspiration for me to go into pediatrics. I learned so much from him as a student and then as a peds resident, and then as a pediatrician that it is hard to quantify. It was his passion, dedication, and perseverance to care for children over time that I most remember.
I am saddened by this news, but truly inspired just by reading all he did for the medical profession. What an honorable career and life to lead and inspire others! Deepest sympathies to Dr. Bolam's friends, colleagues, and more importantly, his family.
Dr. Bolam was a legendary fixture in the NICU and at UNMC. I was honored to learn from him over the past four decades, from my med student years through my time on the faculty, sharing many patients. His full life of compassion, humor, teaching, and support will not be forgotten.
Dr. Bolam was an awesome physician. He never sought the limelight. He would much rather use his talents to save babies. What a legacy!
A fine man, physician, mentor and friend
This is a wonderful, outstanding recognition of this man and his professionalism. Condolences to his families , co-workers and friends .
Drs. Bob and Linda Nelson
We valued our time with Dave. Added to our knowledge and happiness as a colleague and friend. Condolences to his family and friends.