The bladder exstrophy community says goodbye to Dr. Richard Grady

Dr. Richard Grady saw medicine as part science, part art. It was the cornerstone of his medical practice and his extensive humanitarian work. He embodied this philosophy.

On April 25th, after a three-year battle with brain cancer, Dr. Grady passed away. With his passing, the bladder exstrophy community lost a tireless champion and a medical visionary.

Here at the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (A-BE-C), we lost our quiet leader, our mentor, our friend.

Four years ago, seeing the immense need for bladder exstrophy education and care in the US as well as in developing countries, Dr. Grady helped relaunch A-BE-C and was instrumental in helping take it to a new level. An active supporter of A-BE-C for many years, he was directly involved in hosting our International Conference in 2007 and again in 2015. He co-authored Life of a Patient giving A-BE-C publishing rights in honor of bladder exstrophy patients worldwide. He served as board chair of the medical advisory board from 2013 until his passing.

Dr. Grady also served as a visiting professor overseas and participated in educational surgical missions to India, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, bringing together a world class team of physicians from the United States and globally to better the lives of exstrophy patients in underprivileged countries. A true collaborator, Dr. Grady was always at the core of this team, energizing and engaging his peers with his infectious passion for this work.

During his career, Dr. Grady touched the lives of countless children and their families. His expertise saw them through difficult medical procedures, and his thoughtful, diligent demeanor helped calm their fears. Although he is no longer with us, what Dr. Grady achieved in his lifetime will live on—through the patients whose lives he touched, and through the children born with bladder exstrophy in years to come, whose lives will be enriched thanks to his philosophy and work.

The Grady and Hart families are hosting a memorial/celebration of life service at the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle on June 3 at 2 pm. All are welcome.