Remembering Alan R. Dimick, MD
Written by Vicki Baugh
Southern Region Burn Conference Program Manager Emeritus
On behalf of the Southern Medical Association (SMA), I would like to acknowledge and honor my friend and colleague, Alan R. Dimick, MD.
The wind was knocked out of me, when I learned he would not be here any longer to champion the Southern Region, to teach and influence, or to send his daily email jokes. He inspired all of us, regardless of one’s level of training or background.
I had the honor of working with Dr. Dimick for the past 25 years. To know him was to rub shoulders with one of the great minds of our time. He was a pioneer of team care long before burn units adopted the concept….not to mention the creation of the UAB Burn Center, American Burn Association, improved burn care outcomes, trauma, and the EMS world.
His compassion and dedication to burn care led to the creation of the Southern Region Burn Conference. In 1987, Dr. Dimick along with Dr. Bill Hickerson and a group of southeastern burn center directors decided to have an annual regional burn conference that would provide educational programs for all members of their burn teams, as well as further disaster planning. Dr. Dimick was a lifetime member of SMA and asked SMA to partner with the group to manage all aspects of their vision. I was the fortunate one to be asked to manage this meeting and worked with Dr. Dimick to make this the largest burn care meeting in the country following the American Burn Association’s national meeting. My professional success is due in large part to him and his tireless commitment to the Southern Region group and burn care across the continuum of healthcare. His legacy is immense.
Ida Martha (his wife) planned a birthday party for him at The Club in Birmingham. I attended not knowing he had prepared a speech acknowledging those of us that were instrumental in helping him further his dreams. He always gave credit where credit was due.
He will be missed, but certainly never forgotten.
