Dr. Timothy M. George, 59, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, President of Dell Children’s Medical Group, mentor to dozens of his neurosurgery colleagues, prolific researcher in the areas of Chiari malformation, cranial nerve stimulation for pediatric epilepsy, genomics of neural tube defects, and other current neurosurgery topics, died unexpectedly on November 10 while participating in the four-hour Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore at Sebring International Raceway.
Dr. George was driving a No. 2 Ansa Motorsports LLC prototype race car when he began experiencing severe medical problems. He was able to drive the car onto the pit lane. Despite the best efforts of track medical personnel and later emergency room staff at the closest Sebring hospital, Tim George’s extraordinary life came to a premature end.
No cause of death has been announced.
Dr. Timothy George is survived by his wife Rosalind and his two sons Timothy Jr. (TJ) and Kevin.
An Extraordinary Life
Tim George, the youngest of three children, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1960 to Carey and Gracie George. Amazingly, he knew at age four, after watching an open heart surgery on television, that he wanted to grow up to be a surgeon. His family remembers the young Tim George in much the same way his patients would later remember him in their notes following his death—calm, cool, collected and intensely interested in other people.
In his youth he was a camp counselor for children with disabilities and that, eventually, would lead him into a career in pediatrics. He also worked alongside his father as an apprentice plumber.
He was a proud graduate of Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York, where he not only excelled scholastically but was the starting point guard on the championship varsity basketball team.
Between high school and NYU med school, Tim attended Columbia University and, in his spare time, played plenty of round ball, DJ’d around New York City, developed his lifelong passion for sports cars and formed TIMARI.
Dr. George completed his residency in neurosurgery at Yale University and stayed to continue his neurosurgical training. He added subspecialty training in pediatric neurosurgery at Northwestern University.
In 1996 he moved to Duke University to join the neurosurgery faculty. It was in North Carolina where he met his future wife, Rosalind, and started a family.
Dr. George soon advanced to the rank of Associate Professor Tenure and built a busy practice focusing on pediatric congenital abnormalities and tumors. His colleagues remember Dr. George as a master technician and his patients remember a uniquely empathetic and compassionate physician.
In the many comments that have surfaced since his passing, it is clear that his patients absolutely loved him.
Moving to Dell Children’s Medical Center
In 2006 Dr. George accepted the position of professor for the Department of Neurology and the medical director of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Center of Central Texas at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas.
Here he was able to build on his passion for pediatric neurosurgery, train and mentor the next generation of neurosurgeons and continue his research in genomics and surgical outcomes of Chiari malformation, cranial nerve stimulation for pediatric epilepsy, genomics of neural tube defects, and molecular and cellular mechanisms and abnormal development of the spinal cord.
He was a member of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, the Austin Black Physicians Association and other scientific societies and organizations.
Racing Sports Cars
Tim George was also an accomplished, professional race car driver.
According to his fellow sportscar drivers, he was one of the most popular drivers on the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) paddock, having competed in the likes of the Mazda Prototype Challenge, FARA, and IMSA lights series. Tim competed nationally with the Sports Car Club of America and achieved podium finishes in both his Mazda MX5 racecar and his Pro Formula Mazda.
His success and passion for the sport earned him his FIA International Competition License (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) to compete with the International Motor Sports Association in his first prototype racecar, the Elan DP02.
He competed successfully as a pro driver at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen in New York, Homestead Raceway in Florida and at Sebring International Raceway as well as many other raceways across the country.
A Life of Service
Tim’s family wrote this about him:
“Tim’s life was about serving his family, his patients, his community, and his sole purpose in doing anything was to always do for others. He built a foundation of love for his family with inspiration, encouragement, and by being their rock. His integrity, guidance, and determination to always do the right thing with love and care, will be carried forward through the generations he touched personally and professionally. Dr. Timothy George is preceded in death by his parents Carey and Gracie George. Tim leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Rosalind, sons Timothy (TJ) Jr. and Kevin, his sister Sharon Cancel, brothers Carey George, Jr, and J. Douglas Wiley, one grandson Christian, four sisters-in-law, three brothers-in law, four nieces, nine nephews, two lifelong friends Lori Griffith, Tanya Davis-Coates, and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends. Tim George has been quoted as saying to a patient, “This is going to be like going on the world’s longest roller coaster ride and you may not always see me, but I’m going to have a seat on that ride with you and I’m not getting off.”
Expressions of Love, Appreciation and Sadness
In a statement, Dell Children’s Medical Center said:
“It is with a heavy heart to learn of the passing of one of our own at Dell Children’s, Dr. Timothy George. Dr. George served as the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, President of Dell Children’s Medical Group, and Co-Director of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program. He was a prominent member of the Dell Children’s family from the very beginning and provided critical leadership to the development of pediatric neurosciences in Central Texas. Dr. George was an exceptional surgeon who touched countless lives in Austin and the Dell Children’s community. Dr. George will be missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, his family, and everyone who had the privilege to work with him.”
The International Motor Sports Association also released a statement on Dr. George’s death saying:
“The IMSA family is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Tim George today. He was a long-time IMSA competitor and a friend to many in the paddock. At this difficult time, we would like to extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to his wife Rosalind and the rest of their family.”
Larry Khoo, M.D., magna cum laude graduate from Yale Medical School and prolific neurosurgeon and investigator with over 60 peer reviewed journal articles, 10 patents, 60 book chapters, 2 full books, and 400 scientific presentations under his belt said this about his mentor, Dr. Tim George:
Dr. Tim George was my chief resident when I was a Yale Medical Student. I am a neurosurgeon now in large part due to his mentorship and friendship. Tim- I pray you have found the rest and fulfillment that you deserve…until the next morning rounds my friend!
