Dr. Henry Clay Cleveland

Dr. Henry Cleveland, 91, passed away on the 13th day of January, 2016. He was born June 8, 1924, in Hammond, Indiana, to Florence and Henry Cleveland. Dr. Cleveland is survived by his wife of 71 years, Priscilla A. Cleveland, his sister Florence, and children: Buzz (Mitch); Douglas (Tarri); Ann (Tom Hatch of Portland); and John (Barb). He was preceded in death by his son Tyler. Henry has ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Henry received his B.S., M.S. and M.D. degrees from Northwestern University, was a member of F.A.C.S. and had five years of surgical residency at New York Hospital (Cornell). During the Korean War he served as Chief Flight Surgeon at Lowry Air Force Base. He served as Chief Resident at the University of Colorado Medical School, and later was a Clinical Professor of Surgery at that Medical School. Dr. Cleveland was a general thoracic surgeon in Denver, Colorado for 30 years. He was Head of Level 1 Trauma Center at Saint Anthony's Hospital, for injured and ill people. He worked to expand the role of the critical care nurses and flight nurses in Colorado and in the USA. Dr. Cleveland was Chairman of HHS Region VIII for EMS services for 5 years. He worked on the Committee on Trauma of America College of Surgeons for 15 years in developing and then inspecting hospitals throughout the USA designating various levels of care as I, II, III or IV. Dr. Cleveland helped create the largest clinical course for trauma surgeons in the United States, held once a year and sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, as well as start the Residency Paper program for the Committee on Trauma in the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Cleveland was an integral part of establishing an EMS system for the State of Colorado. Henry began the first PPO in Colorado, and later created an HMO and clinical laboratory serving thousands of residents throughout the state of Colorado. Henry loved interacting with everyone in his family and was always available to dispense wisdom and optimism, and worked tirelessly for his fellow man with a strong will to make their lives fuller and their futures brighter. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those he served. Service Information: January 23, 2016, 11:00 am, St. John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington Street, Denver CO 80203. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Flight for Life at SAHF, 11600 W. 2nd PL., Lakewood, CO 80228 or to a charity of your choice. Please share condolences and memories with the family in the guest book below.