Dr. Ernest Poulos

ERNEST POULOS, M.D., F.A.C.S., a self-described “John 3:16 man," passed from this life into Heaven on October 30, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, after an extended illness. Born on May 3, 1926, in Texarkana, Texas, he grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he was graduated from high school. He served in the V-12 unit of the US Navy during World War II and was assigned to study medicine at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Following graduation from SMU in 1945, he was awarded a research fellowship in Cardiology with Dr. Tinsley Harrison.

In 1950, he married the love of his life, the former Joyce Johnston, of Frederick, Oklahoma, who died in 1992. He received his MD degree from Southwestern Medical School in 1950, and after a return to the Navy until 1953, interned at Parkland Memorial Hospital, followed by his residency in general surgery at Parkland. He was an instructor in Southwest Medical School’s Department of Surgery, from 1957-1958, and later specialized in vascular surgery.

Dr. Poulos retired from private practice and teaching in 1997, after 35 years as Director of Surgical Training, at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, to become Emeritus Director of Surgical Training. He took great pride in having trained more than seventy surgeons, all of whom passed their boards.

His professional associations include memberships in the AMA, TMA, DCMS, SMA, Dallas Society of General Surgeons, Southwest Surgical Congress, Western Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons, Southern Association of Vascular Surgery, American Association of Vascular Surgery, the International Surgery Society, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Texas Surgical Society, and the Southern Surgical Association.

He served as president of Southwest Surgical (1993), president of Texas Surgical Society (1991), Governor At Large (American College of Surgeons, 1986-1992), president of the Dallas County Medical Society (1986), president of the Dallas Society of General Surgeons, president of the North Texas Chapter of American College of Surgeons (1970), and president of St. Paul Medical Center Staff.

He is remembered as a master teacher from his positions as St. Paul Medical Center’s Director of Surgical Training (1962-1997), Chairman of St. Paul Department of Surgery, and full-time Clinical Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical School.

Among Dr. Poulos’ honors are the Max Cole Award by the Dallas County Medical Society, and Special Recognition by the St. Paul Medical Center Board of Trustees. In 1995, Dr. Poulos was honored with the creation of the ERNEST POULOS, M.D., DISTINGUISHED SURGICAL CHAIR, at UT SOUTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. He also considered his membership at Preston Trail Golf Course in Dallas an honor, and treasured his time there with fellow members and staff.

Dr. Poulos is survived by his children, Phil Poulos (Burbank, California), Priscilla Miller (Dallas), and Jamie Comeaux (Dallas); by four grandchildren, Justin Comeaux (Tammy), Matthew Comeaux (Shelby), Kate Johnson (Aaron), and Isaac Miller; by five great-grandchildren, Ellie, Andrew, Stratton, Jett, and Miller; and by his brother Dr. George Poulos (Pat) and his family, and by his sister Mrs. Helen Burrows and her family.

Pallbearers: Dr. Ramsey Choucair; Justin Comeaux; Matt Comeaux; Dr. Stan Henry; Dr. Tyler Hughes; Isaac Miller; Phil Poulos and Bill Lane.

Honorary pallbearers: Mr. Richard Cox; Dr. Franklin Crawford; Mr. Leonard Johnston; Dr. Royce Laycock; Mr. Michael Massad; Mr. Fred Mound; Dr. George Poulos.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2016, at Sparkman Hillcrest, Northwest Highway, Dallas, with visitation on Thursday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Sparkman Hillcrest.

Dr. Poulos’ family wishes to express its gratitude for the love and care shown to him by his many friends and colleagues, by the staff at Caruth Haven Court, and by his wonderful caregivers, especially Katina, Nancy, and Bebe.

He loved and lived by the precepts "Be not weary in well-doing" and "Sweet are the uses of adversity."

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to to the Ernest Poulos, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Surgery, at UT Southwestern Medical Center, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888, or online at www.utsouthwestern.edu/donatenow, or to the charity of your choice.