MaddoxBay Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Renowned surgeon found deadIn September, he installed miniature heart pump that saved the life of a 14-year-old boy By JAY HUGHES Associated Press Associated Press Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb, seen here at a news conference held in October at the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Ark., was found dead Sunday of an apparent suicide. He was 45. LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb, a heart surgeon whose work was the focus of a four-part TV series and who successfully implanted a life-saving miniature heart pump in a child, was found dead Sunday of an apparent suicide. He was 45. Drummond-Webb took an overdose of medication and left a note for his wife, who discovered his body, according to Arkansas Children's Hospital. The hospital said friends believe the surgeon suffered a sudden bout of depression. Dr. Jonathan Bates, chief executive officer of Arkansas Children's Hospital, said Drummond-Webb worked tirelessly to save his patients. "Some would say they saved 98 out of 100," Bates said Sunday. "He ... said 'I lost two out of 100.' " In September, Drummond-Webb performed the first successful implant of a miniature heart pump in a 14-year-old boy with a heart defect, keeping him alive until a heart transplant was possible. The teen, Travis Marcus, was released from the hospital Thursday. Travis' father, Rick Marcus, said the family talked to Drummond-Webb by telephone on Christmas and nothing seemed wrong. Rick Marcus said his son was devastated by word of the death. This is the Dr. that was on the Discovery Channel with a documentary on the ICU: Arkansas Children?s Hospital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
