Dr. Jules Amer was a pediatric epidemiologist whose devotion to patients made him a legend in the medical community, colleagues say
Dr. Jules Amer, a pediatric epidemiologist whose devotion to patients made him a legend in the medical community, and who was involved in the creation of the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, has died.
Amer died at home on April 29, one week shy of his 93rd birthday.
“This guy was a giant in the field of pediatrics in Denver,” said Michael Kappy, a pediatric endocrinologist affiliated with Children’s Hospital and professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Barbara and Marvin Davis, her husband, founded the Center after Amer diagnosed their then 7-year-old daughter, Dana, with type 1 diabetes.
“He was the most wonderful human being,” Barbara Davis said. “I never met a more devoted, dedicated doctor.”
At the time Dana was diagnosed, there was no dedicated diabetes clinic in Denver and the family had to fly to Boston for specialized care. Barbara and Marvin Davis, a businessman, film mogul and philanthropist, decided to establish a clinic and research center in Denver.
Amer was deeply involved in creating the center, which was founded in 1978 and is now one of the largest diabetes institutes in the world. He continued to serve on the board of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, which supports the Barbara Davis Center, until his death.
“He focused throughout his board tenure to make sure that the mission of the center was to care for any child with diabetes regardless of ability to pay,” said Dr. Richard Abrams, an internist who served on the board with Amer.
“He was from another era in medicine,” Abrams added. “He was always available, whether it was during the day, with an extremely busy practice, house calls, telephone calls at any time of the day. Jules was always available.”
Dana Davis remembered that the year before she was diagnosed, she had a case of Hong Kong flu, a dangerous flu strain, and Amer rode his bicycle to her home to treat her. “He would go anywhere for any of his patients, and do anything in his power. He became a doctor because he truly cared about people.”
In 1985, Amer hired a young pediatrician, Jay Markson, to join in his practice, Children’s Medical Center.
“Jules had already been in practice at Children’s Medical Center for 32 years and he went on to practice effectively for 25 more years, always in central Denver,” Markson said.
Amer, who referred to himself as a “baggy pants pediatrician,” never wore a watch to work, didn’t limit his time with patients and never considered whether a patient could afford to pay.
“When the door was closed, that patient was his primary concern,” Markson said. “His philosophy was you take care of people, you don’t worry about what they make.”
Amer received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina and a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati.
In 1952, while working for the Centers for Disease Control, he came to Colorado to study an outbreak of Western equine encephalitis.
He went on to become the city epidemiologist at Denver General Hospital.
Amer joined the Children’s Medical Center pediatric practice while continuing to make rounds at Denver General and other hospitals, according to information provided by Children’s Medical Center.
As clinical professor of pediatrics at CU School of Medicine, Amer was recognized for outstanding service and teaching. He encouraged collaboration between Colorado healthcare institutions, supported research and taught hundreds of students, residents and fellows the importance of honing their clinical skills and judgment in the care of their patients.
At various times, Amer acted as chief of medicine, president of the medical staff and president of the board of directors of Children’s Hospital.
“Most of us could only dream of having the impact on community the way Jules did throughout his career,” Abrams said.
Amer is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Amer, their children, Lyle Brant Amer, Manette Amer and Janette Amer, and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service likely will be scheduled for June.
