Charles R. Bauer MD

Charles R. Bauer, M.D., professor and longtime faculty member in the Department of Emergency Medicine, died June 4 in San Antonio. He was 83. Dr. Bauer came to the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1982 after a career in the U.S. Air Force. He was instrumental in the development of the emergency medicine program at the Health Science Center and University Health System.

“He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will last for many years,” said Bruce D. Adams, M.D., FACEP, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. “From the beginning of his medical career, through decades of military service and up to just a few weeks ago when he was still teaching students and residents, Dr. Bauer remained always the ultimate example of how to serve as a physician, an educator, a mentor and a gentleman,” Dr. Adams added. Dr. Bauer originally joined the Health Science Center in the surgery faculty as a general and trauma surgeon and as the assistant dean for ambulatory and emergency services. He was board certified in both surgery and emergency medicine. He served as the first chief of emergency medicine at UT Health and as medical director of the emergency department at University Health System. He laid the foundation for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Bauer was involved in many other initiatives in South Texas. He developed the South Texas Poison Center located at the Health Science Center and was instrumental in the establishment of the Texas Poison Center Network. In 1993, he was the founding chair of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council.