It is with great sadness that The CALTCM Wave reports the loss of a legendary figure in California’s long-term care community.  Dr. Ray Dann, one of the founders of the California Association of Medical Directors (CAMD, CALTCM’s predecessor) in the 1970s, died suddenly on April 22 at the age of 86.  He graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School in 1957, served in the U.S. Public Health Service, and briefly practiced in Anaheim before moving to San Diego County in 1963.

Dr. Dann was a longtime nursing home medical director, internist, educator and mentor.  He practiced medicine as a solo practitioner for 54 years in Escondido, and was on staff at Palomar Hospital for a remarkable 50 years, caring for hospitalized patients until just last year.   Unlike most internists (and nursing home physicians), Dr. Dann delivered babies for some 20 years, and assisted in the operating room for over 40 years.

Truly a remarkable physician, Dr. Dann was a member of CALTCM’s Emeritus Board of Directors and attended our annual meetings regularly.  A plain-spoken, colorful, larger-than-life figure, Dr. Dann’s perspective and candor were refreshing and insightful.   Dr. Dann had been heard to say on multiple occasions that he planned to work until the day he died, and pretty much lived up to that, considering he was making rounds on a Friday and died on Saturday.  

If there are nursing homes up in heaven, we are confident that Ray Dann is already providing compassionate, diligent care up there, because he loved his work.  Dr. Dann will be missed immeasurably by the CALTCM community.  Our condolences to his family.