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DR. DONALD PELL M.D. FCC, Formerly Brazil, IN
Born January 31, 1942, passed away on July 13, 2023. Dr. Don Pell was a pulmonary and critical care doctor, serving in many leadership and teaching positions throughout his career.
Born in Hollywood, Flordia, Dr. Pell was raised in Brazil, Indiana, and lived most of his life in St. Petersburg, Flordia. He graduated from Brazil High School in 1960, where he won the John Philip Sousa Award for outstanding band member in recognition of his drumming skills.
Dr. Pell was a brother of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1964 and his M.D. In 1967 from Indiana University. He completed his internship, residency and a fellowship in pulmonology at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis and moved to Muncie, Indiana, to continue his medical and teaching career at Ball Memorial Hospital.
In 1978, he moved to St. Petersburg, Flordia, to open a private practice and continue teaching as a member of the clinical faculty at the University of South Flordia. Dr. Don Simmler and Dr. Bill Jeffries joined him in practice later. Dr. Pell’s specialty was treating the most critically ill or injured patients and his compassionate care touched the lives of many individuals.
He was convinced that listening in detail to the patients’ histories and doing a thorough physical exam led to more accurate diagnoses and subsequent treatments.
Dr. Pell was known for his ability to teach physicians, nurses, paramedics and respiratory therapists the skills they needed. He believed in teaching by example was a master storyteller who used that skill to teach.
He was also dedicated to inventing new medical devices and systems to help more patients. Dr. Pell was named Physician of the Year in 2013 by the Pinellas County Medical Association and received several teaching awards throughout his career, including the B. Lynn Feaster Jr. Outstanding Medicine Attending Award in 2011.
In 2007, the mayor of St. Petersburg declared July 3 Dr. Donald Pell Day in honor of his retirement and in acknowledgment of his many contributions to the community. In both his professional and personal lives, Dr. Pell had an uncanny ability to uplift spirits through his captivating stories and infectious sense of humor.
He brought lightness and joy to many people through his jokes, “King of Phlegm” hat, and enduring laughter. He had a lifelong love of music and sailing, a passion for golf, and spending time with friends and family in Indiana and Flordia, especially walking the beach on Don Pedro Island. Dr. Pell was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John and Evelyn Pell; brother, Jim Pell; and granddaughter, Isabella Pell.
He is survived by devoted wife, Dr. Paula Pell; children, Michael, John, Susan, Evelyn, Christopher, and Nicholas; brothers, Dr. John R. Pell (Jane) and Judge Robert Pell (Jan); sister-in-law, Kathy Pell; and 13 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Foundation, or Indiana University School of Medicine.
Family and friends will gather Thursday, July 20, at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, Northeast, from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm. Additional visitation will be held Friday, July 21, at St. Petersburg First United Methodist Church from 1:45-2:15 pm with services to follow at 2:30 pm.
Anderson McQueen www.andersonmcqueen.com
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