Dr. Edward Jones Waits, after suffering a debilitating stroke, passed away November 21, 2013, at the age of 85 surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 4, 1928 to Selene Elizabeth Carlson and Charles Edward Waits of Atlanta. A lifelong Atlantan, Dr. Waits attended Druid Hills Elementary School, Boys High School and Emory University where he earned his undergraduate and Medical Degree. For 45 years, Dr. Waits practiced general surgery, most of that time on the surgical staff of Northside Hospital, with an emphasis on breast surgery and, later in his career, bariatric surgery. At Emory, he was a member and Past President of the Chi Phi Social Fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Phi Sigma Honorary Biological Society, and was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity.
Dr. Waits was certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow in The American College of Surgeons. He was a member of The American Society of Bariatric Surgery, The Georgia Surgical Society, The Atlanta Clinical Society, The Floyd McRae Surgical Society, and the Northern District of the Medical Association of Atlanta. He completed two years of military service with the US Public Health Service achieving the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade for his service at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. Dr. Waits was instrumental in the development of the Outpatient Breast Care Center at Northside Hospital and was also a pioneer in the field of Bariatric Surgery helping to establish Northside Hospital as a premier Bariatric Surgical Center. For the last 20 years, Northside Bariatric Surgical Center has attracted countless patients with clinically severe obesity for successful surgical treatment. Dr. Waits received the Medical Association of Georgia’s Distinguished Service Award for his work with physicians with addictions and/or alcoholism. He served as Chairman of the Medical Association of Georgia’s Physician Wellbeing Committee for 15 years. At Northside Hospital, he established and chaired The Wellness Committee to deal with the problems of physician impairment. The group drafted a written policy for dealing with problems of drug and alcohol addictions within the professional span that is still used today as a model for hospitals and medical staffs throughout the country. Dr. Waits own recovery story was featured in Family Circle magazine and he has appeared on several national TV talk shows in support of health professionals with problems of addiction. Dr. Waits was a past member of Northside United Methodist Church, Sandy Springs Christian Church, the Brookwood and Sandy Springs Rotary Clubs, the Piedmont Driving Club, and the Highlands Falls Country Club. He was a Founding and Life Member of the Atlanta Country Club. Dr. Waits is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 23 years, Nancy Bleistine Waits, his son, Edward Jones Waits, Jr., and daughter in law, Lisle; devoted daughter Kathleen Bridges Waits, and his grandchildren, Mary Catherine Waits and Leila Lisle Waits, all of Atlanta. Throughout his life, he had a distinct love of golf with his many friends, Georgia Bulldog football, life in Highlands, and being at St. Simons Island. When at home, it was all about the hot tub, a warm fire, a good book, and a nap. What gave him the most joy in his life, however, was spending time with Nancy. He is preceded in death by his previous wife, Mary Lynn Bridges Waits; 3 children, twin girls who died at birth and Mary Selene Waits; his 2 brothers, Charles Edward Waits, Jr. and William Lee Waits and his nephew, Charles Edwards Waits, III. A memorial service to celebrate his life will held at St. Martin’s in the Field Episcopal Church in the sanctuary on December 6 at 2:00pm with a reception following in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Cerebral Palsy of GA, Ridgeview Institute, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of your choice.
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