Walter S. Jellish MD, PhD
Walter S. Jellish MD, PhD, quietly passed away at his home on April 29, 2019 after a short illness. He was surrounded by his family and friends and will be remember fondly for not only his charismatic nature but also his outstanding contributions to the field of anesthesiology and to the Loyola Medicine community.
Dr. Walter Jellish was a seminal leader in anesthesiology both at a national and international level. Having completed his graduate degree in the Department of Biochemistry at Loyola University Chicago in 1982, he subsequently attended medical school at Rush Medical College in 1986 and pursed a career in anesthesiology. Dr. Jellish completed his anesthesia training at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a fellowship in Neuroanesthesia at the same institution. He started his professional career at Washington University but ultimately transferred to Loyola University Medical Center/Stritch School of Medicine. While at Loyola he quickly raised in the leadership ranks of the department and was named Chairman of Anesthesiology in 2000. At the point of his retirement, Dr. Jellish was one of the longest serving Anesthesia Chairs in the country.
While being an active member of the Loyola Medicine community, Dr. Walter Jellish was noted not only to be an excellent researcher and teacher, but also a fantastic clinical provider. His knowledge and skill within the realm of neuroanesthesia was recognized within the institution and on a national level as was evident in his roles with the Society of Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care. He was an integral part of helping to develop the robust Center for Cranial Base Surgery, a nationally recognized center of excellence that focuses on the management of extensive tumors of the head, neck and brain. Throughout his career, Dr. Jellish’s expertise and intraoperative management skills were utilized to help support and care for patients with complex neurosurgical conditions.
Dr. Walter Jellish maintained a robust administrative life at Loyola Medicine. During his tenure he served in multiple leadership roles too numerous to mention but notably included Vice-Chair and board member for the Loyola University Physicians Foundation, Chair of the Clinical Leadership Committee, Chair of the Finance Committee, Transition Team Member for the LUMC-Trinity merger, and Faculty Council Representative for Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.
As department chair, Dr. Walter Jellish guided the growth and expansion of anesthesia services throughout the organization. He was instrumental in helping with the continued development of non-operating room anesthesia as well as supporting the rapid expansion of other clinical services including transplantation, pain management, surgical oncology, trauma, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery. He served as a mentor and educator to numerous residents-in-training, medical students, and faculty. Dr. Jellish’s commitment to education was clear as evident by his over 20 year involvement with the American Board of Anesthesiology where he last served as a Full Examiner for the board certification process.
Dr. Walter Jellish was truly an academic “triple threat”, this is, a person who shows excellence in the areas of education, research and patient care. Dr. Jellish was widely published and a highly respected researcher. He had at least 75 peer-reviewed publications, 46 book chapters (or monographs), 22 grants and over 140 abstracts, with a focus on the complex issues regarding neuroanesthesia. He also served as an editorial board member for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia and for the American Society of Anesthesiology Anesthesia Continuing Education (ACE) program. As a peer reviewer, Dr. Jellish served in this role, helping to review articles and research from over 36 highly respected journals.
Dr. Walter Jellish was also a well-respected national leader. He had a significant presence in the Illinois Society of Anesthesiology, serving many roles, but most notably as President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists. He was also an active member in the American Society of Anesthesiologists, serving many years as a delegate to this governing body. Though departed Dr. Walter Scott Jellish will continue to inspire trainers, faculty, and associates to strive and achieve greatness.
With all of his accolades and achievements it would be easy to overlook the best part of Dr. Walter Jellish. When people think of him, they don’t just think of his achievements, but also of his warm and gregarious nature. He was truly a “people person”, quick to make friends, highly social, and humorous. His ability to sing was legendary and his passion for his family was a touching aspect of his character. He’s was always a guy who liked a good joke, a good drink, a good dinner, and a good conversation about anything. He was a dedicated family man. He was proud of his marriage and his children. He was loved by his grandchildren and always knew how to show them he loved them. He really knew how to balance his life professionally and personally. He lived his life to the fullest till the very end and we will miss him everyday.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 pm Thursday, May 2 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family/ friends are asked to gather Friday, May 3 at St. Cletus Church, LaGrange for Mass at 10 am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in memory of Walter to Loyola University Medical Center in support of the Walter S. Jellish, MD, PhD, Anesthesiology Fund which will support the greatest needs of the Department of Anesthesiology. Funeral info: 708-352-6500.
What a great guy. Scooter as l remember him as we grew up together in Ashland. He was my favorite cousin and we had many good times as teens in A small town. My heart goes out to his family and friends.❤👣
Scott was the consummate colleague and friend. His contributions to Anesthesiology will continue to be admired. We will miss him greatly.
Wow! What a loss to our specialty and to the medical community! Scotty was simply one of the kindest people who I have known over the past 30 years of our interaction. I always enjoyed his witty sense of humor and approach to life. He did a fantastic job at Loyola and for our specialty. Most importantly he was a kind and decent person, a thoughtful individual and a dear friend. I will miss him greatly.
Scott was an excellent anesthesiologist, a natural leader and a great guy! My sincere condolences to his family.
It has been a pleasure to collaborate, share a membership in a great organization, SNACC, and hear the stories of family which Scott shared. HIs unique humor and innovation and sincere compassion for science and patient care serve as models to me. It has been wonderful knowing Scott and I will miss chatting with him at meetings.. Thanks Scott and my best to your family!.
Scott will be truly missed. Condolences to his family and friends.
Scott was every bit the physician, the academic, the mentor, the friend and the comedian. I am certain that he will be greatly missed by the Loyola community and beyond. I fondly remember all of the neuroscience research that we managed to do together and will miss our conversations. Thinking of his family and wishing them peace and comfort.
I agree with Fletcher. Scott was one of the most personable individuals I have ever met. He assisted us at
Brookfield Zoo when we took on the task of anesthetizing a gorilla for neurosurgery. His humor and innovative approach helped all of us through a difficult time. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family.
I had the pleasure of knowing Scott the people person. He was great fun to be around. Scott was a best friend to my brother John going back many years – so I had to deal with some pretty silly antics growing up with these boys.
He loved his family and friends as we all wish we are loved. He will be missed and remembered fondly.
Peace and love to his family.
Dr. Jellish was a phenomenal physician and person. He helped his colleagues be the best and grew the department even while going through the devastating loss of his wife. He will be so missed
I was so sad to hear this news. Scott was a great combination of smart and funny. I will always remember his hilarious stories about fellowship and life in general. Prayers for his family during this difficult time.
I will always remember Scott as a kind, gentle man with a quick wit, an impish smile and a warm hug. May his memory be a blessing.
Dr Jellish was a gem, a humble leader that exuded enthusiasm and passion for Anesthesia. A great loss. He will be remembered fondly. May he Rest In Peace.
Allah yerhamo. He was a gentleman and a scholar.
May God repose your soul Scott. Thank you for all what you have done and for life full of giving others especially patients, scientific and family and friends. You have fought the good fight my friend. Your legacy shall live and as you inspired us do many shall follow. For now Rest In Peace.
We are thinking of Scott’s family and remember him in fondness! What an awesome gift to the world – education, research and patient care – the trifecta! We pray for peace and send our love!
The Vincents – New Orleans, LA
What a great loss, he was a special person and always there for others. He will be missed.
Scott was not only a great professional but became a friend through the examination process. He along with many other examiners formed a larger family that looked forward to seeing each other year after year around the country in addition to the national meetings. Melody and send our deepest sympathies and want the family to know that we too will mess him.
I will miss Scott’s intelligence & humor, and having dinner with him at professional meetings
Scott was a quality individual . . . and I will miss him.
They say that in life a person only has 5 true friends. That is, a person you would sacrifice for and who would sacrifice for you . For me, Scott has been one of my 5 true friends and I am heart broken over his loss. I have known Scott for over 30 years. We went to medical school together. I remember many evenings going over to his apartment at night and we would pull all-nighters together. His wife Michelle would make us dinner. I would pass out on the floor of their living room. He was my medical school buddy. I have watched his children be born, grow up and get married. I knew his parents. We would go to Ashland and I would stay at his parents house and his mother would cook for us. She was a terrible cook. But I ate it anyway. I watched his parents pass away. I watched Scott endure the premature loss of his wife. He bore his sorrow with dignity and quiet repose. I could always count on Scott to lift my mood and spirit. I always felt better after being with Scott. We drank, shared a cigar now and then. As his obituary attests, he has influenced many people professionally and personally. The world is a better place because of him . I feel a void in my life which will never be filled. Good bye my friend.
May Scott’ memory be for a blessing.
My brother-in-law was the best, love him dearly! I miss him dearly!
I have known Scott for nearly 30 years and always enjoy a laugh with him at SNACC meetings. He was a wonderful man, with many achievements yet humble. I will, as many others, will miss him dearly. Condolence to the family.
Scott was a wonderful person with an amazing gift. He will be missed. We are so sorry for the family!
Scott was an inspiration to other chairs in Anesthesiology. Always kind and gentle, he helped create an aura of warmth around him. I will miss the many jokes he cracked while here in Chicago or at national meetings and the board exams, Rest In Peace my friend, I will miss you!
What a loss. Scott was a wonderful person, a great friend , excellent anesthesiologist and leader. He contributed generously to the speciality .He had a great sense of humor and he always made me feel comfortable around him . May her soul RIP. You will be missed 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Dr. Jellish,”Jelly Belly” Scottie or Scott as many people called him was that rare combination of wit, intelligence, and kindness rolled into one soft spoken and gentle man. He was a brilliant clinician in the anesthesia field he dedicated his life to. It’s hard to say which was more endearing, his ability to turn any moment in the operating room into instant zaniness or his innate talent to mKe each one of his patients feel important, secure and cared for . It was my privilege and pleasure to work with Scott …Rest peacefully.
May he rest in peace. A true gentleman.
I mourn the loss of a lovely man, one who contributed enormously to our professional field, and more importantly, one of my most enjoyable dinner mates at so many ABA meetings. My most heart felt sympathy to Scott’s family.
I grew up with Scott and the Jellish family and actually am currently living in Scott’s childhood home. I will always remember him as a social wonder. He was friendly to everyone and shared his wisdom and peaceful ways to all he encountered. Rest in Peace dear Scott.
What a great loss for our anesthesiology community! I thank God for Scott’s life. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Having known Scott since his days as a resident in anesthesiology at WashU, I am unsurprised by the praise heaped upon him by the many distinguished physicians who have commented here. I am equally unsurprised to find that, no matter how awed we all are by his intellectual gifts and his formidable professional accomplishments, the qualities to which we all seem to return are these: his kindness, his sense of humor and his genuine concern for the welfare of others. My sincere condolences to his family and to his extended Loyola family.
Rest easy Scotty. You did not travel lightly. You took a piece of all our hearts to guide you on your journey. You are deeply missed. There are no more tears in Heaven.
Patricia Packham, RN
I am so sorry to hear about Scott. I was a junior anesthesiology resident with Scott at Wash U. He was a joy to work with. Smart and funny guy. I was also interested in neuroanesthesia and Scott probably had a part in that. There are such good memories of him in the operating room, at his house, and taking the boards together in Boston. He will be missed greatly! Sending his family my condolences.
Cal Eng
My wife Donna and I just learned of Scott’s passing and are devastated at the news. Scott and I were residents together at Washington University and we became fast friends. Scott was one of the most genuine people I have ever known. Scott, Michelle, Donna and I became inseparable during those four years. If you met Scott socially, you would never guess that he was a brilliant, accomplished academic physician. He was a funny, outgoing, gregarious type of guy. Over the years and a thousands of miles apart, we didn’t stay in touch as well as we should have. We saw him in October and he had not changed a bit. We laughed all night long just like the old days. We talked about how much he missed Michelle and how much he loved and was proud of his kids Zach, Amy and Danielle. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
I knew Walt since the eight grade. We were both from the same side of town and we both went to the same college. We were both chemistry majors and I have a lot of memories being the lab assistant to his lab group. Walt was very social and he had a great sense of humor. You were always very happy to see him. What he accomplished as a physician is clear evidence of his brilliance and intellectual capacity. But most of all he will be remembered as a truly great guy who will be missed by everyone who knew him..
We just learned of Scott’s passing today and are shocked. He and I were residents together at Wash U, along with Pete and Cal. Scott was not only a smart and gifted anesthesiologist, he was a wonderful human being. He was gregarious, witty, and just so funny. We will never forget the fun time we had together at the ASA meeting in New Orleans. He will be sorely missed.