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News Release

Media Contact:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org

Memorial service planned for Dr. Thomas Schram Enloe, Sr.

CHICO, Calif., Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 – Thomas Schram Enloe, Sr., MD, a community physician in Chico and the son of the founder of Enloe Medical Center, died on July 13, 2008 after battling lung cancer. He was 85 years old.

Dr. Enloe was born on Jan. 12, 1923 to Dr. Newton Thomas and Dorothy Enloe in Chico. He graduated from Chico Senior High School in 1940, from Stanford University in 1944 and from Stanford School of Medicine in 1947, with his medical degree.

Dr. Enloe worked at Enloe in general and emergency medicine with his father, Dr. Newton Thomas Enloe, from 1947 to 1950. After serving in the Korean War, he completed a residency in orthopedic surgery and practiced in Chico until retiring in 1975.

Dr. Enloe also served as a hospital administrator and was on Enloe’s Board of Trustees during the 1960s and 1970s. He was instrumental in helping establish Enloe as a non-profit organization to allow it to better serve the needs of the community.

“We are very appreciative of Dr. Tom Enloe, Sr., and his entire Enloe family for their contribution to health care locally,” said Mike Wiltermood, Chief Operating Officer at Enloe Medical Center. “A strong hospital is an integral part of any community. Founding this hospital in 1913, and the continued administration and patient care provided by the Enloe family for decades, created a real legacy for Chico and the Enloe family.”

Dr. Enloe also served as public health officer for Butte County and was involved in several community organizations. After Thomas retired in 1975, he and his wife, Barbara, followed their dream to sail through the South Sea Islands to Asia.

“Thomas lived a full, adventurous life giving service as a doctor, contributing to his community, and sailing the world,” said his son Dr. Thomas Enloe, Jr. “We have all learned from his spirit, which will live on in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Enloe Conference Center, 1528 Esplanade, in Chico. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Enloe Foundation for the Enloe Century Project (530-332-4550) or Butte College Foundation (530-895-2351). Condolences for the family can be sent to thomasenloemd@hotmail.com.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.

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