Leonard Bailey, MD

Honoring the Legacy of Leonard Bailey, MD

Our dear friend, Leonard Bailey, has passed away at the age of 76. A Celebration of Life was held for Dr. Bailey on Sunday, June 23, 2019, honoring his life and legacy.

Watch a recording of the event here.

Dr. Bailey meant so much to so many people. No matter what you called him, though — doctor, mentor, colleague or friend — you knew Leonard Bailey as a pioneer.

He was a world-renowned pediatric heart surgeon whose work has given hope to children everywhere. His research and innovations in infant cardiology have helped save thousands of lives around the world. For 42 years here at Loma Linda University Health, Dr. Bailey guided patients and their families through some of their most trying times.

Dr. Bailey helped develop a foundation of knowledge upon which current and future medical professionals will continue to build. He sought not only to make discoveries but to share the invaluable knowledge he gained with as many as possible. As a distinguished professor and surgeon-in-chief of the children's hospital, his guidance extended to medical students, residents, fellows and colleagues alike.

Perhaps Leonard Bailey’s most enduring legacy lives in the qualities he demonstrated and inspired in others every day. Among the best of them were humility, courage, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to progress. Because of people like Leonard Bailey, it’s these qualities that we strive every day to achieve in ourselves. It’s these qualities that can rekindle our spirits and, in turn, the spirits of those we serve. It’s these qualities that we’ll pass on to our students and to our children.

For these reasons and many others, we cannot thank Dr. Bailey enough. Let's come together now to reflect on a man who gave all of us — and the world — so much.