IN REMEMBRANCE
IN REMEMBRANCE:
DR. JAMES CHILDERS
1924 - JAN. 18, 2020
D
r. James Childers was born in Pike County, Ky. and was
one of six children. As a young man, he was a good and
energetic student, and he taught swimming lessons in the
summer. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky
and the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
His practice was limited to obstetrics and gynecology
and he practiced almost exclusively at the old St. Joseph’s
Infirmary in Louisville, Ky. He was Chief of the OB-GYN Depart-
ment and the head of their OB-GYN Residency Training program.
For most of his career, he was in solo practice and had one of
the busiest offices. He was noted for his skill and competency in
the operating room; surgery allowed him two rooms to decrease
the turnover time. Dr. Michael Hamilton was his usual assistant.
They complemented each other so well that very few words were
necessary in the operating room.
Dr. Childers kept busy with his boat in Louisiana, his practice
and his family. He was devoted to his wife and three daughters—all
of whom were very successful in their careers. He did much pro
bono work with Catholic Charities of Louisville.
Jefferson County Medical Society and was also on the Hospital
Executive Committee at Humana for 20 years. He was listed as a
clinical professor in the department of OB-GYN at the University
of Louisville School of Medicine.
In his retirement, Dr. Childers moved to Chicago to be with his
three daughters, and he developed interest in thoroughbred horses.
Dr. Childers died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2020 at the age of 95.
His wife who had ALS preceded him.
Dr. Childers is remembered as being very supportive of his
residents when they finished training—always helping them to start
their practice. He was their advisor, and they considered him as their
father. He was a World War II veteran, a church deacon who actively
and generously supported his church, devoted husband and father,
a good man who was always smiling and a very busy physician.
Information for this was obtained from Dr. Irv Bronner, Dr.
Charles Huber, Dr. Robert McQuady and Louisville Courier Journal
Jan. 29, 2020 and myself.
- Charles Oberst, MD
Dr. Childers headed the Insurance Review Committee of the
Dr. James Childers was a GLMS member for 63 years.
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE