MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Blount, Caughman, Chassaniol, Clarke, DeBar, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Kirby, Massey, Michel, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Watson, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF DR. BLAIR E. BATSON, THE "FATHER OF ORGANIZED PEDIATRICS" IN MISSISSIPPI FOR WHOM THE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN WAS NAMED, AND COMMENDING HIS MEDICAL CAREER AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP.
WHEREAS, we join the medical community in remembering and recognizing a lifetime legacy of contributions to the health of children in Mississippi. Dr. Blair E. Batson, an integral figure in Mississippi Pediatrics, passed away on November 26, 2018. He was 98; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson served as the first Chairman of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson; and
WHEREAS, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, said Batson played an important role in the health of children in the state. "He truly was the 'Father of Organized Pediatrics' in Mississippi, and the lives of countless children in our state have been touched through his work," Dr. Woodward said; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson lived through the Great Depression and served with the Army in World War II and in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1946 to 1948 in Giessen, Germany, as Ward Officer for Contagious Diseases and Pediatrics for the 388th Station Hospital; and
WHEREAS, born October 24, 1920, Dr. Batson grew up in Pearl River County in the sawmill Town of Orvisburg, where his grandfather, Ran Batson, owned the mill and his grandmother, Mary Bryan, was Principal of the three-room, eight-grade school. For three years of his childhood, at the start of the Great Depression, Batson's family lived in West Point, Mississippi, where the local Librarian, Miss Lucy Heard, cultivated his lifelong love of books and learning; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson earned his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine Degrees from Vanderbilt University and completed a Residency in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt. While an undergraduate at Vanderbilt, he was President of the Student Council and of his fraternity, Sigma Chi. He served as Chief Resident at Vanderbilt from 1949-1950 and had a faculty appointment there from 1949-1952; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson completed a one-year residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and was on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine from 1952-1955. He also held a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson was an Examiner for the American Board of Pediatrics from 1963 until 1990, a member of the Executive Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics from 1974 to 1980, and President of the Pediatric section of the Southern Medical Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson was honored often for his contributions to the health of children in Mississippi. He was the recipient of the 2000 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi. In 1996, he was Vanderbilt's Distinguished School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year. In 1995, he was inducted into the University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame. Dr. Batson received awards for outstanding service from the March of Dimes, the National Easter Seal Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, District VII, and an award for leadership and devotion to child health care from the Mississippi Academy of Pediatrics; and
WHEREAS, the children's hospital was named after Dr. Batson "in recognition of his lifetime contributions of the health of children in Mississippi"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson was married twice, first to Dr. Margaret Batson, a distinguished Pediatrician in her own right and member of the original Pediatric faculty, and then to Blanche Batson, a well-known Artist, both deceased. Survivors include Dr. Batson's only brother, John O. Batson II; his six nieces and nephews: John O. Batson III, Molly Batson Smith, Blair Batson, Bryan Batson Jauregui, Andrew Graves Batson and Virginia Batson; and his four grandnieces and grandnephews: Bryan Smith, Annie Smith, Griffin Batson Grant and Tristan Batson Grant; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Batson leaves a lasting legacy not only in his home state but throughout the nation. His passion for helping children was unlike any other, and his great and good spirit and remarkable intellect enriched the lives of all his students and colleagues. He will truly be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Legislature to the bereaved family of Dr. Blair E. Batson, the "Father of Organized Pediatrics" in Mississippi for whom the hospital for children was named, and commend his medical career and civic leadership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Batson, forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.