S. William Ross

First Hematologist in State and a Founding Father of Southwest Oncology Group, Dr. S. William Ross, a rheumatologist, hematologist, oncologist, and clinical pathologist whose devotion to scholarship and excellence in patient care influenced colleagues and generations of medical students, died Monday, December 3, 2012 in Little Rock. He was 90. He co-founded the Arkansas Chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation and in 1958 initiated setting up the first state-wide home physical therapy program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The first hematologist in Arkansas, he was also a founder and past president of the Arkansas Blood and Cancer Society, a founding member of the Southwest Oncology Group and chairman of the medical and scientific committee of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Born in New York City March 19, 1922, Dr. Ross, a life-long Yankees fan, graduated from Syracuse University College of Medicine in 1946. After his internship and two years in the Navy, he brought his family to Little Rock in 1949. In his roles as Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, a co-founder of the Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic, a solo practitioner in his field, and Chief of Hematology-Oncology at the VA Hospital, Dr. Ross has been the recipient of such honors as the Abernathy Award for excellence in Internal Medicine and the Arthritis Foundation Distinguished Service Award. He has also been recognized with the naming of the eponymous S. William Ross Award, presented by the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry to successful professionals in the field who are highly motivated to make a difference. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Charlotte Frutkin Ross; daughters Pamela Bona, Leslie Patterson, Meredith Ross, Linda Ross; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Foundation College of Medicine Founders Society expressly in memory and for as the family may designate. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 7, at Temple B'nai Israel with Rabbi David Lipper officiating. Burial will be at Jewish Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 501-661-9111. The online guestbook for Dr. Ross is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.