James Whitehead Strickland M.D.

James W. Strickland, M.D., beloved father, loyal friend, and esteemed physician, died on April 13^th at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he had spent much of his life treating patients who benefited from his compassionate care.

A native Hoosier, Dr. Strickland, or Doc as he was affectionately known, was born on January 4^th, 1936, at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis. The son of Jenny Louise and James D. Strickland, he graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1954. He entered Indiana University later that year and became a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Although he planned to pursue a business degree, he sustained a serious knee injury while playing basketball on the IU freshman basketball team, and was so influenced by the care he received from his orthopedic surgeon, Dr.  Thomas Brady, that he decided to go to medical school. He graduated from the IU School of Medicine in 1962. Dr. Strickland served his internship and orthopedic residency at IU, from 1962-1968, interrupted by two years of military service as a captain and chief orthopedic surgeon at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He completed his hand surgery fellowship at Passavant Hospital at Northwestern University Medical School in 1969.

Dr. Strickland founded the Indiana Hand Center in 1971, the only practice in Indiana at that time devoted solely to disorders of the hand and upper extremity, and which gained international prominence as a premier center for hand surgery treatment and specialty fellowship training. During his career he ascended to the pinnacles of his profession, serving as president of both the American Society for Surgery of the Hand as well as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. His incredible passion for improving patient care and gifted leadership later led him to found Reconstructive Hand to Shoulder of Indiana in Carmel, Indiana, and develop Hand Surgery departments at Franciscan Health in Greenwood, Indiana and Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Indiana.

Despite achieving such professional heights, most who knew him will remember Doc not for the work that he did but for the incredible man that he was. When he entered a room, he immediately lifted the mood of all present. He was quick to smile and had a joke or story to suit every situation. It was common for him to sing along to Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, or the Beach Boys while performing surgery. Doc’s optimism allowed him to see the sun when there were only storm clouds, and his incredible vision gave him the ability to see beyond the present into the realm of possibility. These qualities earned him great respect from his peers and a legion of sterling friends and colleagues whom he loved deeply. Their letters, calls and visits brought him great joy right to the very end.

An avid athlete and lover of sports, Doc was a lifelong fan of Indiana University basketball. His encyclopedic knowledge of sports history was second to none. He continued to play basketball, tennis, and golf throughout his life, and he was a passionate fly fisherman. However, it was his fiery competitiveness that came to define him. Whatever Doc did, in sports or in life, he gave his full self – nothing left in reserve. This was never clearer than at the end of his life. Despite relentless radiation therapy and multiple surgeries that left him unable to speak, he fought to stay on his feet, to beat back illness, until there was nothing left to give.

Perhaps there was no role in life that suited Doc better than being a father and grandfather. He was the consummate champion of his family, and his love for his children and grandchildren was unwavering. Despite a grueling work schedule, he always made the tennis match, spelling bee, or performance. He was there for a soft push on the swing, a game of Ping-Pong, or a consoling hand on the shoulder in the aftermath of disappointment. He was our North Star, whose love and character shone brightest amidst the murky dimness of a trying time.

Doc urged all of us to go into the world, to be present, and to love completely. As we cross into this new frontier, into a life without our father, friend, physician, and North Star, his example calls upon each of us to look within our heart and to reveal its beauty to those around us. The joy that he brought to this life is immeasurable, but it is now our turn to pick it up, to cherish it, and to carry it forward.

Dr. Strickland is preceded in death by his father James D. Strickland, his mother Jenny Louise Strickland, and his brother-in-law William D. Ruckelshaus. He is survived by his sister Jill Ruckelshaus, his brother John Strickland, his children Stephanie Garriga (Mark), Stacia Floberg (Jim), James S. Strickland (Kathleen), and his grandchildren Lilly Floberg, Ali Garriga, Wynn Garriga, Emma Floberg, Kate Floberg, Sarah Jane Strickland, and Ivey Strickland.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the exceptional physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers who provided such empathetic care to our father, especially physicians Paul Hamori, Michael Moore, Daniel Wurtz, and Robert Foote as well as nurses Betsey Bergmeyer, Molly Richardson, and Jennifer Bradley at the Restoracy in Whitestown.

A private memorial service was held on Saturday, April 23rd in conjunction with a ceremony where Dr. Strickland posthumously received the Indiana University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to either of the following institutions so close to Doc’s heart:

• The Indiana University School of Medicine to support medical student scholarships. Make memorial gifts payable to “IU Foundation” and mail to IU Foundation, P.O. Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072. Please indicate “In memory of James Strickland, MD” on the gift.

• The James W. Strickland Hand fellow Education Fund at  https://www.assh.org/afsh/s/james-strickland-fundIndividuals may also donate over the phone by calling the ASSH Central Office at (312) 880-1900.