Miller School Remembers Dr. Charles Bauer, Neonatology Leader
Charles Bauer, M.D., professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychology, and associate director of the Division of Neonatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, passed away on June 15.
Dr. Charles Bauer
Dr. Bauer joined the Division of Neonatology in the Department of Pediatrics almost 50 years ago when it was composed of only two faculty members. During his time as associate director, he played a significant role in developing neonatology at Holtz Children’s Hospital at UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, throughout Florida, and across the country. Dr. Bauer’s academic legacy is preserved through his participation in establishing the Neonatal Training Program at UM/Jackson, where almost 150 neonatologists who practice in this country and many others around the world have been trained.
“Besides his dedication to teaching neonatology, Charlie was an invaluable advisor whose guidance and wise interventions were crucial for the success of the division,” said Eduardo Bancalari, M.D., professor of pediatrics, director of neonatology, and chief of newborn service at UM/Jackson. “He was a champion and advocate for early intervention in at-risk infants and created one of the first neonatal follow-up programs in the country, a program that later evolved into the Early Intervention Program that has evaluated and helped thousands of at-risk infants discharged from the JMH NICU and the South Florida community at large.”
Dr. Bauer was the site principal investigator during the 15 years that the neonatal program was a part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, placing the program among some of the most prestigious in the country. He was also co-director of the Miami Neonatology Conference, a postgraduate educational activity that has been offered for 45 years to more than 1,000 participants around the world.
“Beyond all his contributions to the Division of Neonatology and the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Bauer was a great clinician and educator, a trusted friend and advisor, and a warm, gentle person,” Dr. Bancalari said. “His love and dedication to his wife Rita; his children Kristen, Gabrielle, and Charles Jr.; and grandchildren Charles and Sophia, was his priority and an example for all of us. Charlie will always be remembered and missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know him.”
Funeral services will take place starting with the viewing on June 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South, 11655 SW 117th Ave., Miami. The funeral mass will be held on June 22 at noon at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7270 SW 120th St., followed by entombment at 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Park South. For more details, please visit the memorial page.
Tags: Division of Neonatology, Dr. Charles Bauer, Dr. Eduardo Bancalari, Miami Neonatology Conference