Frank C. Bone, MD FACP

Frank Cutchin Bone, MD, 93, died early Wednesday morning surrounded by family after a long illness. Frank was born on January 10, 1919 in Rocky Mount, NC. He was raised there and later attended Duke University (graduated in 1944) and Duke Medical School (graduated in 1946). After moving to Orlando in 1950, Dr. Bone began the practice of medicine and continued until 1999. He was Orlando’s first Gastroenterologist. During those five decades, he was part of Orlando Regional Healthcare System where he served as Chief of Medicine, Chief of Gastroenterology and President of the Medical Staff. Frank was a member of many professional societies including the Orange County Medical Society, the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Internal Medicine. He was a founding member, vice president and later president of the Florida Gastroenterology Society. He was voted Best Attending Physician in 1977, 1980 and 1996 and was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida. The American College of Physicians advanced him to fellowship and awarded him a Community Based Teacher award in 1977.

Frank was instrumental in the creation of many of initiatives at ORHS including a hospital wide ethics committee, the clinical nutrition program and the palliative care unit. After closing his practice he became the ORHS “Ethicist”, a position that was created for him. Frank was known for his gentle, honest and direct way of speaking with patients, his dry sense of humor, and love for his family and his profession.

Frank was a member of the Country Club of Orlando where he loved to play golf. He was also a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church here in Orlando.

Frank is survived by Margaret, his wife of 66 years, his two sons, Frank Bone, Jr. and Michael Bone of Winter Park, and his three grandchildren, Skip, Katie and Grady.

A Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at the First United Methodist Church on Jackson Street at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 18.