population that are very important . I want you and your family to be able to have good doctors to see and take care of your children , your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren . We want to help this region and help the people in this region , and I don ’ t ever want to lose sight of that .”
His new role as Dean and EVPHA is quite the time commitment with many responsibilities outside “ office hours ” but that can ’ t stop him from his favorite hobbies . He loves to travel , and anything outdoors like hiking . He has a special interest in fly fishing and is part of a group of academic surgeons from across the country who go on trips together to places like Montana , Colorado and Alaska . He also has been fortunate to go on trips with an organization called Kenya Relief to provide surgical work there , alongside his colleague Dr . Kevin Potts .
In April , he will celebrate 35 years of marriage to his wife , Anne , a retired nurse . They are now empty nesters , but have three lovely daughters , Erin , Molly and Claire . Erin is a social worker here in Louisville , Molly is a graphic designer in North Carolina and Claire is an educator and culinary professional in the New York City area .
“ I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family . I love the fact that my daughters have gone into divergent fields for careers . They are very interesting people and are very independent and have great work ethic . Anne and I are very proud of them .”
As he reflects on his time in medicine thus far , he ’ s come to two realizations . First is the value of great moments with patients . He recalled many memories of seeing former patients in public and they share gratitude and updates on their lives .
“ That connection is so heartwarming . It brings a lot of joy to see someone 20 years later who thought they might be dead in a year . That ’ s something that is true for the community doctor in the 1940s and it ’ s true today ; it has endured . I always tell the students , you may not be able to cure everybody , but you should endeavor to help everybody . When we talk about the art and science of medicine , it ’ s because it ’ s beyond just pills , surgeries , X-rays , advanced therapeutics , it ’ s also the professionalism , the commitment and
( L to R ) Photo captions Dr . Bumpous and colleagues in the OR ; Dr . Bumpous ’ fly-fishing group made up of academic surgeons from across the country ; Dr . Bumpous on a fly-fishing trip ; Dr . Bumpous ’ three daughters , Erin , Molly , and Claire ; Dr . Bumpous in surgery .
the compassion .”
His second realization is the importance and versatility of a medical degree . Whether you ’ re involved in a church or civic group , or on a non-profit Board , physicians bring a rich perspective to our community .
“ Because you have this degree , you have some amazingly interesting perspectives and that can make you really helpful to your community . Physicians are bright people who are generally very caring and good problem solvers . Never underestimate how bringing a physician ’ s voice to a variety of places is important to our community .”
Moving forward within his role , he wants to make sure to engage and activate the School of Medicine and the other three schools on the Health Sciences Campus , the Schools of Dentistry , Nursing and Public Health & Information Sciences . He said it ’ s important that we produce the best doctors , make great discoveries , take care of tough problems and that we are compassionate and caring people that are assets to health care in Louisville , Kentucky , and the region .
So far as the legacy he wants to leave personally ? Goodness and kindness will prevail .
“ I ’ m focused on not only trying to always be good to my family , but to all people I encounter . People are important – so being good , respectful and kind to people is something I want to continue to do , even in the toughest situations .”
Kathryn Vance is the Communications and Event Coordinator at the Greater Louisville Medical Society .