Memories of Dr. Feigin
To share your own favorite memories of Dr. Feigin, please use our Share a Memory form.
Frederic Bruhn, M.D. (Col., USAR, Ret.)
Colleague
San Clemente, Calif.
Dr. Feigin was a great friend of the military. He was often called upon to act as Visiting Professor at our MEDCENS and his visits were always productive and valuable. Staff and Residents were always impressed with his knowledge in Infectious Diseases as well as General Pediatrics. He was an educational treasure. In my career in Pediatrics I have been fortunate to have received training from many outstanding Pediatricians (Kempe, Oski, Diamond, Rudolph, and many more). Dr. Feigin was right up there with them. He will be missed.
Gail Demmler-Harrison, M.D.
BCM-Dept Pediatrics Faculty
Colleague
Nominated and introduced Dr. Feigin for the 2007 Howland Award
I came to Baylor College of Medicine as a young pediatric intern in 1977, the same year as Dr.Feigin. I am now a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Serving along side Dr. Feigin, caring for pediatric patients, teaching students and residents and fellows, doing research to keep us on the cutting edge of pediatric care, and promoting advocacy for children's health, has been a joy. His 31 years with us were like Camelot! Ralph Feigin is missed but he will never be forgotten!
Roxy
Patient's family member
My son (age 30) is alive thanks to Dr. Feigin's leadership at Texas Children's. Pediatric Cardiology practice at TCH is without equal. I am forever grateful.
Carl White, M.D.
Former trainee as medical student and resident (Ralph's Rockets teams of '78-'81)
National Jewish Health (formerly National Jewish Medical and Research Center)
Denver, Colo.
Dr. Feigin was truly a larger than life figure for the career development of thousands of young pediatricians-to-be (myself included). He was a fantastic leader, teacher, friend, and role model. Always upbeat and encouraging, he consistently obtained the best performance possible from each trainee, and did his best to impart this skill to us, his students, through his example. His ability to become a personal friend and supporter of each trainee was extraordinary, not only because he recalled the names of hundreds of us (even many years later), but also because of his sincere interest in each one. His teaching rounds were exceptionally memorable because of his expansive differential diagnoses, and his phenomenal recall of different diseases. Also remarkable to most was the fact that he needed so little sleep, while most of us were usually so much in need of same. He took comparable care in solving a meningitis outbreak as in a relatively minor personnel issue. And he made the whole endeavor fun, not only through his teaching, but also through the 'extracurriculars' he encouraged (Ralph's Rockets - basketball team of residents and fellows; annual satirical plays by the residency class etc.) Words cannot convey the enormous gift Dr. Feigin gave to his trainees and the lives of children.
Albert Besize
Reader of the site
Quality Chemical Industries
Kampala, Uganda
The legacy Dr.Feigin left behind will always be a spring board for generations to come.May we emulate his character and sense of passion for the children.His relentless and commitment to the health of young people is a clear manifestation of his dream to see a better world to live in tomorrow.May his soul rest in peace.
Leanna Fischer
Coworker
Former TCH Employee
Houston, Texas
Over the past 10 years i have worked at TCH off and on. i started as an employee at the hospital at the ripe age of 17. I remember the first time i ever met Dr. Feigin and i remember how heart felt his smile was.. as many people above have mentioned. His smile was contagious it didnt matter what kind of day you were having, it could have felt that it was the most horrible day you had ever had but when you crossed Dr Feigins path and he would shine that smile at you all you could help to do was to smile back. He was always so friendly, it didnt matter if you were the CEO or if you just mopped the floors he would ask how your day was, smile, and wave. He will be missed, and now that i have a child of my own i feel confident with the dr's i take him to because i know they were mentored by Dr Feigin.
Ivonne Sahagun-Carreon, M.D.
Resident
River Valley Pediatrics
Texas
It was because of Dr. Feigin that I have done what I have done. He inspired all of us to be excellent in everything we do, and taught us not to settle. He did all of this with his wide smile and joie de vivre. There will never be a human being as multitalented as Dr. Feigin, and his loss will be felt world-wide.
Anna Horowitz
My son is a patient of several doctors at Texas Children's
Houston, Texas
My father and I met with Dr. Feigin upon pledging to make a gift to a clinical trial on epilepsy taking place at Texas Children's Hospital. We were immediately struck by the friendliness and spunk of this brilliant man. We sat and had lunch, and he and several of his colleagues answered all of our questions with ease and with patience. Dr. Feigin spoke so enthusiasticly about the new research center being built, that one couldn't help but get excited. We found him inspiring, motivating, and kind, and he will most certainly be missed, even by those of us who hardly knew him.
Amanda Collier
Student
The Woodlands, Texas
I just sent a letter to my family and some of the phsyicians and colleagues I knew then and now reflecting upon my experience of being on a pediatrics rotation as a Baylor PA student in 1984. I will never forget being present at Feigin rounds and watching him put on a show at the "white board" writing down all of his mental steps of sorting through a differential to find the cause of a child's infection. Wow! I felt truly privileged to attend Baylor's PA program with such mentors to learn from and Dr. Feigin had influence on my choice as Baylor pediatrics as my first job after PA school in 1986. Although my path has led me to pursue different clinical endeavors, I will never forget the warmth and joy Dr. Feigin seemed to find in being a physician and teacher. Amanda Collier, P.A.-C.
Gregory Tasian
Student
UCSF
San Francisco, Calif.
Both my wife, Sarah, and I both fondly remember our days as Baylor medical students. Presenting at Feigin rounds at Ben Taub was one of the indelible memories of our medical training. Dr. Feigin will always be one of our role models of a caring, brilliant physician. He will be missed. Gregory Tasian (BCM 2005; UCSF Urology) Sarah (Taylor) Tasian (BCM 2004; University of Washington Pediatrics 2007; UCSF Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow)
Mark Kay
Stanford
Stanford, Calif.
I was very sad to hear of Ralph's passing. I did my internship/residency and fellowship at Baylor from 1987 to 1993. One of my highlights and most memorable experiences occurred during my first two months of internship when two of my patients were selected for presentation to Ralph during his legendary "Feigin Rounds". I still remember presenting the first case, a child with sickle cell anemia and fever of unknown origin. Although I believed I was relatively well prepared, during our discussion of the differential diagnosis, I realized how much medicine (as well as the geography of remote regions of South America, Asia, and Africa) I still needed to learn. Importantly, this single interaction reiterated the importance of paying attention to every detail, a lesson that has remained embedded in my mind, and something I try to recapitulate in my role as a mentor. I saw Ralph again in 2000 in Boston when he congratulated me for receiving the Mead Johnson Pediatric Research Award. I told him how my career was so positively influenced by my training in his Program, and how grateful I felt for having had the opportunity to do so.
Ammar Ahmed
Student
Dallas, Texas
As a Baylor medical student on the first day of my pediatrics rotation, I ran into the renowned Dr. Feigin, who extended a warm handshake and said, "How are you doing, Ammar?" I had never met nor spoken to Dr. Feigin prior to this. In between his enormous clinical, research, and administrative duties, Dr. Feigin had taken the time to learn the names of each of the 170 medical students in my class so he could greet us by name. The humility and warmth of this incredible man have left an indelible mark on my memory.
Ashu Syal
Follower
Houston, Texas
I am a practicing pediatrician in Houston, Texas. Dr Feigin has inspired me since 1984 - when I decided to be a pediatrician in my country in India. Ever since I came to Houston- Texas- I have never missed an oppurtunity to listen to him - when ever he was giving a talk in public. I was not fortunate to get residency training under his supervision- but I was one of those long distant followers. I hope that in this life time I can achieve/accomplish 1/10th of what he has achieved. That would be my only tribute to him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and all the people in pediatric medicine fraternity for such an irreplacable loss.
Juan Carlos Millon
Resident
Baylor Peds Alum
Davie, Fla.
It was a great honor to have been taught the practice of medicine by such an incredible person. Not only did he blow everyone away during the his notorious Feigin's Rounds but his yearly birthday dinners will always be in my memories. Dr. Feigin, thank you once again for making me the pediatrician and the person that I am today. You will be truly missed.
Fernando
Colleague
He was a brilliant physician scientist and leader and a wonderful, caring person. He will be missed.
Alvin Jaffee
member of the TCH staff
Many years ago,having been born in the Bronx, I shared an office suite with Dr. Randolph Schaffer in an office practice of Pediatrics located across from Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Schaffer was the only office based pediatrician, appointed by Dr. Russell Blattner, to serve on the search committee for a new chief of Pediatrics. After one of the committee meetings, Dr. "Randy", shared with me the names of the nominees. He asked what I knew of a Dr. Ralph Feigin. Honestly, I didn't know that much...but after reviewing his resume, I said "He has to be good, He's from the Bronx!". We both were delighted the search committee made the right choice in choosing Dr. Feigin...and relished in his and his family's accomplishments in Houston.
Rohit Puskoor
Student
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tenn.
My favorite memory of Dr. Feigin was as an MS2 at Baylor presenting the case for Feigin Rounds. I was wearing my Columbia College class ring at the time, and Dr. Feigin, who notices everything, noticed it and nudged me before the presentation. It's amazing how Dr. Feigin, as great as he was and as many titles as he had to his CV, held dearest to his heart his role as teacher and mentor, and made an effort to form a special connection with every student who came his way. Few doctors will achieve his greatness in medicine, but no one came close to being a friend to all, even those with no titles.
Jennifer Norman
Resident
Oklahoma City, OK
Dr. Feigin was truly one of a kind. I will never forget the warmth of his welcome to me the first time I stepped inside Texas Children's Hospital. He not only recognized me from my picture but had memorized my CV, making me feel instantly welcome. Even years later when I ran into him in the hallways of TCH, he could still recall the conversation we had during my brief interview. It is rare to have someone so powerful and influential really take time to care about each individual that works under him. It is truly awesome to think about how his vision defined the growth of TCH into what it is today. That vision will continue as the framework he has laid into place continues to come to reality in the years to come. I was truly blessed to work under such a wonderful leader and I know that the amazing experience I had during residency was a direct consequence of his dedication to create the best Children's Hospital in the nation.
Joydip Roy
BCOM Internal Medicine-Pediatrics 2004
Honolulu, HI
There can be no words that can begin to express or console all those who have lost. It was just on 8-13-08 I remembered you and wrote to your e-mail to pray for you. Your touch and inspiration reaches far beyond the city limits of Houston to indeed the whole world. I pray that I can achieve a fraction of your intellect, passion, dedication, and vision in my lifetime. It is rare to walk with giants and I can say that I was truly blessed to have been able to be in your shadow for the four short years I was in Houston, yet the humbleness and humility you demonstrated may serve us all well. Thank you for all that you have done and what you will continue to do as your inspiration reverberates through time. May God Bless You and welcome you to the heavens above.
William Lunn
BCM Colleague
Houston, TX
He loved children, he loved his residents, and, most of all, he loved his family. Perhaps his greatest achievement was that of a remarkable balance between family and professional life that made him revered as a teacher and mentor.
Kimberly
Coworker, Harris County Hospital District
Houston, TX
Dr. Feigin was a wonderful person and an exceptional physician he will be truly missed. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Caroline
Former BCM Employee
Magnolia, TX
Your leadership at BCM was a great inspiration to me, as well as many more. I will always remember your great words of wisdom during the ride in the elevator with you when I worked at Baylor. My prayers are with the family, your son Mike and his family. Rest in peace.