John Michael Scanlan, MD

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Scanlan, John Michael, MD of St. Paul. Age 81, died gracefully at home on Friday, October 26, surrounded by his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his dear children, Sarah, Rachel, Beth, Martha and Norah. Born July 8, 1937 in St. Paul to Dr. Jerome and Loretta Scanlan, John was the youngest of four children. He was a proud St. Paulite, a Marker, a Tommy, a Gopher, a Veteran, and a Rammer. He attended St. Mark's Catholic School, graduated from Cretin High School, the University of St. Thomas, and the Univer-sity of Minnesota Medical School. John spent his medical career in county hospitals and teaching hospitals, beginning with an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, John and his young family returned to Minnesota where he worked at the Fergus Falls State Hospital. John's commitment to community focused medical care brought them to California, where he completed a Psychiatry Residency in Community Psychiatry at San Mateo Community Hospital, and spent the following year there as the ER Psychiatrist and the CD services Medical Director. They returned to St. Paul, where John continued his career in Psychiatry and Administration at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital, and then Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, where he served as Medical Director. During his life and throughout his career, John continually worked to improve healthcare services and medical care for ordinary and extraordinary people. While at St. Paul Ramsey, he learned about the lack of mental health services for the deaf community, leading him to become fluent in sign language and establish the nation's first community hospital-based comprehensive Hearing Impaired Health and Mental Health Program. In addition, John did groundbreaking work in Mental Health including treatment for sexually abused handicapped children, Managed Health Care and telemedicine. John served on a wide range of community boards and national organizations, including Neighborhood House, Wilderness Inquiry, The F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Blandin Foundation, and Church of St. Matthew's School. Survived by loving wife Dorothy Dittberner Scanlan, and daughters who brought him such great joy during his life; Sarah Boggess (Jeff), Rachel Scanlan, Beth Scanlan (Scott Nelson), Martha Scanlan (Jim Berkey), and Norah Garrison (Mark). Dearly missed by 12 beloved grandchildren; Helen, Jason, Hannah and Joshua Boggess; Owen and Gavin Shoger; William, Matthew and John Czerwinski; and Sawyer, Jackson and Hazel Garrison. Also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Patrick and Charlotte Scanlan, and sister-in-law Rosemary Ryan Scanlan . Preceded in death by parents, Dr. Jerome and Loretta Scanlan, brother Jerome Scanlan Jr., sister and brother-in-law, MaryAnn Scanlan Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Fitzpatrick. A Memorial Service will be held at Neighborhood House (The Wellstone Center), at 179 E. Robie St., in St. Paul, on November 23rd, from 1-6 pm, program at 3pm. Sign language interpreter services will be provided. Memorials preferred to Neighborhood House in St. Paul. Special thanks to Franklin Fleming, M.D. and Greg Siwek, M.D. for their extraordinary care, and to Lilydale Garden Center, for the lovely space and welcoming place for John's daily tour on his scooter. O'Halloran & Murphy 651-698-0796

Published on November 18, 2018