Meredith Lee Scott

Dr. Meredith Lee Scott, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 10, 2024. And as anyone who knew him would attest, he squeezed every bit of life out of his 85 years. As an avid fisherman, hunter, SCUBA diver, water and snow skier, Meredith’s life was marked by one adventure after another; and so were the lives of his family and close friends because of him. They all have their own colorful stories to tell, always with one central character – Meredith … Daddy … Papa … Doc.

Meredith was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 28, 1939, to Robert Lawton Scott (1899 – 1976) and Nota Richey Scott (1900 – 1939). After his mother died tragically from complications of childbirth, Meredith’s uncle (Wendell Hulon Scott, 1903 – 1984) and aunt (Avo Carter Scott, 1901 – 2002) moved in with Meredith’s father to help raise him. After his father retired as Chief of the Detroit Police Department while Meredith was still a young boy, his family moved to Sanford, Florida. It was there, along the St. Johns River and the banks of Lake Monroe, with lifelong friends like Brantley Schirard, that Meredith’s love of hunting, fishing, and adventure took root.

After graduating from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, in 1957, Meredith went to college and medical school at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, receiving his M.D. in 1965. Meredith’s residency training was in Cincinnati, Ohio at Cincinnati General Hospital (1966 – 1968) and Tampa, Florida at McDill Air Force Base (1968 – 1969). Meredith completed his training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1973.

Meredith and his family returned to Central Florida in 1973 where he started his private practice. As one of the three original partners of Cardiovascular Surgeons, P.A., he pioneered cardiovascular and thoracic care in the greater Orlando area and throughout Florida – performing over 15,000 procedures during his career. Meredith recognized the gift that he had as a heart surgeon; and through it he saved countless lives and allowed as many families to enjoy their loved ones for much longer.

Meredith was a member of and served in various leadership positions with numerous organizations and committees, for instance: President and Founding Member of the Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons; Department Chair of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery for many years at Florida Hospital (now Advent Health); Board Chair of the American Heart Association – Orlando Chapter; President of the Florida Heart Institute; active member of the South Atlantic Cardiovascular Society; and as a member of several national committees representing surgeons before Congress in the 80s and 90s.

Meredith traveled and lectured nationally and internationally teaching other clinicians innovative surgery techniques, all while advancing cardiothoracic surgery. Some of his fondest memories and proudest moments were working with colleagues while caring for patients in the U.S. and all over the world (e.g., Central and Latin America, France, Vietnam, and the Philippines).

But it’s difficult to mention the name Meredith Scott without following it up with a tall tale involving a fish, lobster, gator, deer, bear, or some other critter. What likely started with a worm, a hook, and a cane pole on a hot summer’s day while sitting in his dad’s Orlando Clipper on Lake Monroe, turned into a lifelong passion for all that the great outdoors had to offer. In the years that followed he would often say, “If it’s not an adventure, we’ll make it one!” And there couldn’t be a truer statement.

Meredith took this spirit of making the most out of life both near and far, for example: shooting “whatever flies” at Lemon Bluff on the St. John’s River, at the hunting camp at LKP, or Lake Charles, Louisiana, South Dakota, Cozumel, or Honduras; “ripping lips” on Lake Sue, the Snake River in Wyoming, or in the flats of the Bahamas, or from a fishing vessel in the North Pacific; skiing the slopes of Colorado or Chamonix, France or the waters of Lake Ivanhoe or Tom’s Harbor; hunting grizzlies in British Columbia or great brown bears in Russia; slipping up on whatever moves on four feet at the Deseret Ranch in Orlando, his ranch in Shell, Wyoming, or from some spike camp in most of the Western United States (e.g., deer, hog, elk, moose, antelope, “armadillowackers”, squirrels, and “rabbihobbits,” you name it); hunting big game while on safari in Africa (e.g., impala, waterbuck, kudu, cape buffalo); or SCUBA diving and “shishkabobing” hogfish on one of over 100 reefs he had mapped out near his home on Duck Key, Florida, or enjoying the waters of the Caymans, Belize, Hawaii, or Truk Lagoon, Micronesia.

While in the Keys, after having already planned the day’s dives and “cooking” conchs, Meredith would wake his children and grandchildren up by throwing open the curtains with a loud “Dive! Dive! Dive!” And if he ever caught anyone “stacking Zs” he’d yell “Sleep when you’re 80!”

Meredith, without a doubt, made certain that his and many others’ lives were an adventure!

At times it may have been difficult to see beyond his indelible passion for all things outdoors or his illustrious career, but Meredith had two even deeper loves – Jesus and his family. His faith was what guided him and provided him with discernment and peace when he needed it the most. While living in Central Florida he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Winter Park and then First Baptist Church of Orlando. Toward the end of his time at his ranch in Wyoming, he attended Basin First Baptist Church; and while in the Keys he attended Calvary Baptist Church in Marathon, Florida.

Meredith cherished his family and he passed on his zeal to make the most of every day to each of them. He is survived by: his four children – Deborah Tralka Heard (Jaison) of Winter Park, Florida, David Lawton Scott (Michelle) of Winter Park, Florida, Douglas Wayne Scott (Brittany) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Donna Scott Swalley (Danny) of Birmingham, Alabama; his grandchildren – Nicholas Tralka (Cory) of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Matthew Tralka (Heather) of Winter Park, Florida, Bailey Scott Henry (Josh) of Melbourne Beach, Florida, Anna Kathryn Scott of Atlanta, Georgia, Zoey Swalley of Birmingham, Alabama, Meredith Scott of Atlanta, Georgia, Zack Swalley of Birmingham, Alabama, Jaison Heard, Jr. of Winter Park, Florida, Andrew Heard of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Jackson Heard of Winter Park, Florida; and his great-grandchildren – Sage Tralka, Charlie Grace Henry, Leander Dieckmeyer, and Airlie Kennedy.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Meredith will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 2-5 pm at WinterClub Indoor Ski and Snowboard in Winter Park, Florida. But it will not be a formal, stuffy, or somber affair, as that would not honor Meredith nor the way he lived his life. So, please come wearing scrubs, camo, or even a wet suit … with your favorite “Meredith story” to tell. Details to follow.