Constante B. de Padua, M.D., a founding member of the UF College of Medicine’s department of anesthesiology, died Tuesday, Dec. 23 after a long illness.
Dr. de Padua joined UF in 1967 as an instructor in anesthesiology after teaching at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He went on to serve as an assistant professor of anesthesiology before becoming an associate professor in 1974. He also was the clinical director of anesthesia services for the Shands Operating Room for many years, and a staff anesthesiologist at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“Dr. de Padua was truly one of those individuals who could handle anything that came his way,” wrote department Chair F. Kayser Enneking and Michael E. Mahla, a professor of anesthesiology and neurosurgery, in an e-mail to departmental faculty. “From airway management to complex clinical problems, Connie quietly and simply handled the problem. Many a resident marveled at how he could remain calm and collected in the most difficult of clinical situations. He was one of those individuals who could always be counted on to pitch in and help no matter who asked him or what was needed.”
A native of the Philippines, Dr. de Padua was a graduate of the University of The Philippines in Manila, where he earned his A.A. and M.D. degrees. He completed a residency in anesthesiology at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago and was a clinical fellow in anesthesiology at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital. He also was a research fellow in anesthesiology here at UF, and served as a clinical fellow in anesthesiology at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He became a U.S. citizen in 1970.
He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and a Fellow of the American College of Anesthesiologists. In addition, Dr. de Padua was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Alachua County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Anesthesiology Alumni Association of Florida Inc., the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists and the International Anesthesia Research Society. He also served on various hospital and departmental committees and was a permanent consultant to the state of Florida’s Division of Children’s Medical Services.
Dr. de Padua is survived by his wife, Song de Padua, and three children — Kathy, Jennifer and Christopher. Donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Flowers or expressions of sympathy can be sent to Mrs. de Padua at 6922 N.W. 44th Place, Gainesville, FL 32606-4227.