RICHARD E. CHERRY, III, PA-C
July 15, 1955 - February 20, 2006

Richard E. Cherry, III, PA-C, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Ocala, Florida on Monday evening, February 20th, 2006. Rick was an active member of the Florida Academy and will be missed greatly by his family, many friends, colleagues, and his patients.

Rick was the President of Florida Academy from 1988-1989. During his tenure as President, FAPA made their first attempt at getting prescriptive authority. Although not successful in this effort, key legislation was passed where PAs in Public Health could order medications. The Medical Practice Act was amended regarding state certification of PAs, and clinical hospital privileges and permission for reimbursement to PAs by third party payers was put in place. During his tenure we also saw continued growth of the Academy.

In 1994 Rick served as a Member of the Physician Assistant Committee of the Board of Medicine, which was the predecessor to the current PA Council. After leaving office Rick continued to remain active in the Academy and was helpful numerous times over the years in legislative and political issues.

Rick’s main focus however was always on people and providing care to those who needed it, and his family. From 1978 and for many years thereafter Rick was involved in many humanitarian medical missions to Haiti, Honduras, and remote regions of the Amazon in Ecuador. Rick and his family lived in the middle of the Ecuadorian rain forest in the jungles where he helped establish a medical clinic that had never before been available to the Acua Indians of the region. Rick’s strong Christian faith and involvement with his church was a major part of his life.

In 1995 he gave up a lucrative position with a large cardiac practice to open the Forest Family Health Clinic as a rural health clinic in a medically underserved area of the Ocala National Forest. Rick practiced “cradle to grave” medicine as he phrased it. Rick was the on-site manager for Forest Family Health in Silver Springs, Florida from 1995 till his death.

For his years of humanitarian service and devotion to his patients he was awarded the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants 1997 Humanitarian PA of the Year Award on February 7, 1997 during the Annual Winter Conference. This was an award well deserved by this great gentleman, Christian, devoted family man and professional. In his acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award Rick closed by saying, “Remember our roots. Do not feel guilty about enjoying the benefits of the successes achieved by your predecessors. But do not forget that our profession was born out of the need to send healthcare to those forgotten by the system. They needed us then, and their heirs need us today.”

In subsequent years Rick continued to provide humanitarian service when possible, and continued to be a voice for the PA profession in Florida. He was helpful in the area of rural health clinics and testified numerous times before government hearings and meetings in the Academy’s behalf. Two weeks prior to his death Rick accepted an appointment to the FAPA Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was looking forward to being a part of this vital organization.

The family had an open casket and viewing at Hiers Funeral Home in Ocala, Florida on Friday evening, February 24th. The family then held a party on Saturday, February 25th to celebrate Rick's wonderful life. This was held at the Church at the Springs, 3233 Southeast Maricamp Road, suite 107, Ocala, FL 34471. The family has requested that donations be made in Rick’s honor to the church at that address.

Editors’ Note:

It was my privilege to consider Rick Cherry as a cherished friend and colleague for many years. He was President of the Academy the year I became involved in FAPA. We shared many good times over the years and I valued his input and judgment in Academy affairs and learned a great deal from him. I can honestly say he was one of the most honest and trustworthy men I have ever met. In all my years of dealing with him I noted him to be fair, nonjudgmental, and diplomatic at all times. I never heard him utter an ill word about anyone, and likewise I never heard any unfavorable comments about him from anyone as well. Less than two weeks before his death, Rick and I had a long lunch together at the 2006 Winter Conference. He was truly happy in his life and felt satisfied, and was pleased over his appointment to the Foundation Board of Trustees. I will cherish the memories of that last luncheon with Rick for the rest of my life. He was a true gentlemen in every respect, and had the respect and admiration of all. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Ron Pace, PA-C
Chair, FAPA Foundation Board of Trustees

We need your support to make this effort more meaningful and to show the proper respect to our colleagues who are no longer with us. Thank you.

Webmaster@fapaonline.org