Medical Society News & Information
October 2002

Roger J. Dugan, M.D.
1912 - 2002

On August 13, 2002 death took one of San Bernardino's favorite sons, Roger John Dugan. Following retirement from his 55 years of orthopedic surgery practice, 43 of which were spent in San Bernardino, this physician sadly became increasingly limited physically owing to a chronic obstructive pulmonary condition, which led to his death.

After earning his M.D. from the George Washington School of Medicine in D.C. in 1936 and following his internship, in 1937, from Davis Medical Center in California, Dr. Dugan first entered this valley to be the House Physician at St. Bernardine Hospital for some thirteen months. During this time, he slept in the basement and was generously fed by the Sisters.

After completing an orthopedic surgery residency at the Los Angeles County Hospital in 1940, Dr. Dugan established practice in Los Angeles. He was advisor to MGM Studios, evaluating the medical aspects of certain films.

In 1942, Dr. Dugan was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps as a private. Initially, the military was unaware of him being a doctor since he neither said nor wrote M.D. after his name. However, after the military learned Dr. Dugan was a doctor, he received his commission. This situation illustrated his self-effacing, modest, humble and unpretentious persona. Dr. Dugan after WWII spent a year of postgraduate training in rehabilitation at New York University Medical Center. There, he met and married the lovely nurse Maryclaire. She gave him six children and proved to be a much loyal and devoted parent and wife. Also, at the Medical Center he met Dr. J.C. Carmack from San Bernardino who was taking his training in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Carmack convinced Dr. Dugan to join him and Dr. Cline Mapes in practice in San Bernardino, which he did in 1947. Years later, Dr. Dugan passed his orthopedic Board exam and was certified. Not wishing to embarrass or make the non-certified orthopedists feel inferior, he kept quiet that he had his certification. Again, another example of his unpretentiousness associated with his kindness and caring for others. This outstanding humanitarian's life was punctuated by dedication to family, church (Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral - he was a life long Catholic, attending mass daily) and his medical practice. He possessed a gentle demeanor: soft spoken with a light step, unhurried and never raised his voice. Indeed, there was a certain Zen quietness about him. He was more of an observer than a talker. Always shunning the limelight, Dr. Dugan adamantly refused to have anything written about him or his many accomplishments.

His medical office door was always open to all regardless of their race, creed, or financial status. This remarkable physician was admired and highly respected by his colleagues and his patients loved him. At the time of his retirement in 1991, Dr. Dugan encouraged his patients to feel free to telephone him concerning any questions they may have. He had been called a perfectionist in his work. Never during his many years of practice was he sued for malpractice.

Dr. Dugan had a long love affair with "the bug" Volkswagen with stick shift, the only vehicle he drove. This small, plain and quiet vehicle appropriately reflected his personality.

His generosity knew no bounds. It was not unusual that when a visitor in his home admired a certain object, Dr. Dugan would gladly make a gift of it to them. As with the other private physicians in the county, Dr. Dugan spontaneously volunteered his services to teach the interns and residents to care for the indigent patients at San Bernardino County Hospital.

Dr. Dugan was honored by membership in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, San Bernardino County Medical Society, and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. His medical practice was largely confined to St. Bernardine Medical Center and San Bernardino Community and San Bernardino County Hospitals.

It was only fitting that during the closing minutes of his life at St. Bernardine Medical Center he was watching the Holy Mass on television.

By my knowing and working closely with a gentleman of such stature as Dr. Dugan, he will undoubtedly get my vote for sainthood. It is highly improbable that the likes of him will pass our way again for many decades to come.

From Dr. Dugan's obituary written by Roger A. Smith, M.D

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Change of Status

The Medical Society Board of Directors accepted requests received from Evert Bruckner, M.D. and Wendell Moseley, M.D. for retired status of membership.

The Board of Directors also approved a request from Shashi Shah, M.D. for reinstatement of her membership.