Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine of the Indiana University School of Medicine
Passed by the IU Indianapolis Faculty Council at their meeting on March 6, 2018.
Dr. Kevin Rodgers died on Monday, November 20, 2017, at the age of 61. Dr. Rodgers was born December 21, 1955, in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Anne and Frank Rodgers. His tragic death has brought great sorrow to his family, colleagues, and friends. In his loss, we are reminded of the importance of the love and support one can find in community.
Dr. Rodgers earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1977, his physician’s associate degree from Emory University in 1981, and his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia in 1986. He served in the United States Army beginning in 1982 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Rodgers was honorably discharged at the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1998. Dr. Rodgers was a Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine and served as the Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director from 2002 until 2015. He was Program Director emeritus from 2015 until his death. He also was serving as President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine at the time of his death.
Dr. Rodgers was a prolific and effective educator, known for exceeding all expectations related to the time and passion he put toward training the next generation of emergency medicine physicians. Among all Emergency Medicine faculty, he often provided the largest number of formal didactic hours to IU MD students and residents, providing more than 40 formal presentations each year. He spearheaded the “teaching how to teach” efforts for Emergency Medicine residents to ensure they effectively engage adult learners. He published more than 40 papers and gave more than 175 national presentations on the clinical practice and teaching of emergency medicine. Dr. Rodgers also personally cooked for residents during retreats and social events—providing more than 25 meals per year.
Dr. Rodgers received the 2015 Indiana University School of Medicine Inspirational Educator of the Year Award. In the same year, he was recognized as the Residency Director of the Year by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (he received this honor also in 2005) and is the award’s only two-time recipient. Dr. Rodgers received the IU School of Medicine Emergency Medicine Faculty Educator of the Year Award in 2015. He was named Educator of the Year, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Indiana University School of Medicine in 2000 and 2013.
In June 2015, the graduating residents formally named the department’s annual faculty teaching award the “Kevin G Rodgers Outstanding Clinical Educator”, which is awarded in recognition of Dr. Rodgers’ longstanding contributions to the educational programs focusing on Emergency Medicine at IU School of Medicine. These awards are given each year to the clinical faculty who best embody Dr. Rodgers’ excellent clinical teaching skills.
Dr. Rodgers received many national honors as well. The American Academy of Emergency Medicine honored him multiple times with a Service Award for Excellence in Education (2003, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2014). He was honored as Best Teacher, American Academy of Emergency Medicine Written Board Review Course, in 2013, and American Academy of Emergency Medicine recognized his excellence with the Joe Lex Educator of the Year Award in 2009. Dr. Rodgers was also Teacher of the Year at the Joint Military Medical Centers Emergency Medicine Residency, Brooke Army Medical Center BAMC)/Welford Hall Air Force Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas in 1992 and 1995.
Dr. Rodgers helped shape the careers of many IU School of Medicine graduates, and many IU Emergency Medicine residents came to IU because of Kevin’s promises of an outstanding clinical education. Along with his longtime friend, Dr. Carey Chisholm, he created a powerhouse of a residency that has trained hundreds of emergency medicine physicians. These physicians have gone onto leadership positions around the country and they are Dr. Rodger’s legacy along with all of the students they have trained and patient lives they have touched. The aim of Kevin’s professional career was to allow each individual to become the best physician possible. He often said, “You have to have a center. Center begins with family and friends. When you have a true center, you will become the best physician possible.”
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Rodgers focused on his faith and family. He was a parishioner at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg for over twenty years and served as a volunteer doctor on many medical missions to Haiti. Additionally, he volunteered as the assistant coach and team doctor for the Cathedral High School lacrosse team for over fifteen years. Dr. Rodgers was also a medical consultant with the FBI.
Dr. Rodgers is survived by his wife of 35 years, and best friend of 44, Ruth; his four sons, Patrick (Sara), Sean, Ryan, and Danny; and his sister Barbara (Cabell) Lloyd. He will also be remembered forever by his nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends, including the Cathedral High School family, the St. Malachy Parish, and the IUEM community.
We, his friends in Indiana, share with his friends in the emergency medicine community all over the country, the feeling of shock and sadness that a person so dedicated to the development of others, was taken from us in a senseless act. We share with the Rodgers family a very deep sense of loss. Dr. Rodgers touched the lives of many. We find some solace in the fact that his impact continues as physicians he trained care for patients and teach residents and students around the world.
Be it here resolved that this memorial resolution be adopted by the faculty council of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and a copy be sent to his loving wife Dr. Ruth Rodgers.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of Dr. Rodger’s colleagues,
Joshua Mugele, MD
Megan Palmer, PhD
Elizabeth Weinsten, MD