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Dr. James Ledwith, Jr.August 13, 1957- July 9, 2024Worcester (North) member since March 28, 2008
It is with profound sadness and deep regret that I inform you of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Dr. James (Jim) Ledwith, on July 9, 2024, following a tragic bicycle accident in Arizona on June 19th. Dr. Ledwith was an integral part of our community, serving as the medical director for the Epworth Free Medical Program and as the UMass faculty advisor for the WFCC student organization for many years. He was also a dedicated physician with the UMass Department of Family Medicine at the Benedict outpatient clinic. Jim’s unwavering passion for providing care to our community’s most vulnerable populations was evident in every aspect of his work.
For two weeks, Jim fought valiantly in the ICU, showing encouraging signs of improvement after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, on July 7th, he experienced a secondary cerebral hemorrhage, leading to severe increased intracranial pressure. Despite an emergency surgery to relieve the pressure, the damage to his brain was too extensive. With immense courage, Jim’s family made the difficult decision to make end-of-life arrangements.
In his final act of kindness, at 7pm EST this evening, a walk of honor was held as Jim was transported to the operating room for organ donation. This selfless act granted newfound hope to numerous families affected by devastating illnesses, continuing Jim's lifelong commitment to helping others.
Details regarding arrangements are not yet available. Please keep Jim’s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. If you are inclined, please pray for their peace and comfort as they come to terms with this tremendous loss and the impact Jim had on his community.
