A tribute to Dr. Bo Price

An Atlanta physician passed away suddenly last Thursday, April 29, at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital in Atlanta. Funeral services were held Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, for Dr. Irwin “Bo” Price, 36, of Atlanta.

The following statement was issued by Francine Frances, Director of Marketing and Communications for CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System:

“We are saddened by the unexpected loss of a dedicated physician who served in the Emergency Department at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital-Atlanta. While not employed directly by the hospital, Dr. Irwin B. “Bo” Price, like anyone who plays a role in caring for our patients, is considered part of our family. We are working together with our teams and local authorities to provide support, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Dr. Price, born in Atlanta, was a longtime member of Boy Scouts Troop 41 where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He was also active in the youth choir at First Baptist Church where he was currently a deacon.

As a kid growing up in FBC Atlanta, I always looked up to Bo. How could you not? He is what Biblical manhood looked like.

- Jeffrey Ware

In 2011 Bo married his high school sweetheart and running partner, Jaci Clements. Together they have four children, ages 3 to 12. The family was active in the community, carrying on the traditions they were raised on and supporting the Rabbits.

Our community suffered a deep and difficult loss this Thursday. Bo was not only a skilled and caring physician, but also a wonderful husband, father, son, and friend… He saved many lives, comforted the sick and suffering, and always seemed to find a way to be around for his kids and sweet wife as well…Our community will miss his service and care. Most of all his family will miss their husband, father and son…I’m thankful to know Bo knew Christ. Bo’s words and actions certainly displayed this.

- Lanny Giesler

Bo was a 2002 honor graduate of Atlanta High School, where he excelled in cross country and long-distance running. Under the guidance of Coach Gordon Pynes, Bo led the cross-country team to a third-place finish at 2001 state championships after a second place showing in 2000.

As a senior, Bo earned all-state, all-region and all-district honors in cross country and claimed regional and district individual titles, as well as being a four-year all-district performer. That same year he also guided Atlanta to a 3A state title in track; the team also won region and district titles in 2001 and 2002.

Bo was the four-time individual district 1,600-meter champion and posted best times of 9:23 (a school record that has yet to be broken) in the 3,200 meters and 4:20 in the 1,600 meters. He was the 2002 state champion in the 3,200 meters and runner-up in the 1,600 meters, as well as regional champion in both events.

“In coaching most people think the biggest problem area is motivating kids to use their talent to the max - with Bo, it was the exact opposite – he was motivated to go beyond,” said Pynes. “Most of the time I was afraid he would overdo it and hurt himself. I told him more than once to slow down and listen to his body.”

There were a lot of miles run and hours spent with Bo and Jaci in my high school days. This is one of those losses I just can’t quite wrap my mind or heart around.

- Sarah Haydel Carter

Upon graduation, Bo enrolled in Baylor University where he continued to excel, both on the track and in the classroom. He set his pace upon hitting the campus in 2002 when he won his first two collegiate meets, finished 38th at the Big 12 Championships and placed 36th at the NCAA South Central Regional.

Bo accomplished all of this and still made the Fall and Spring Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll, which he continued to make every semester of college; during his Senior year he made it with perfect 4.0s both semesters.

During the 2003 indoor season, Bo took second in the mile with a time of 4:17.24 at the Leonard Hilton Memorial and finished third in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:38.30 at the Red Raider Classic.

In 2004 Bo finished 18th in 1,500 meters with a time of 3:59.75 at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships; earned All-Big 12 honors by finishing seventh with a time of 3:52.79 in the 1,500 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships; qualified for the final with a 3:49.76; ran a season-best 3:48.87 to take Michael Johnson Classic title; and ran a season-best 1:55.87 in the 800 meters to finish fourth at the Baylor Dr Pepper Invitational.

During the 2004 indoor season, Bo ran a season-best time of 4:09.09 in the mile to finish second at the Razorback Invitational; had a season-best time of 1:54.75 in the 800 meters at the Boise Invitational; was the leadoff runner on Big 12 Indoor champion distance medley relay team and was a First-team Academic All-Big 12 selection.

In 2005 Bo ran 15:22.69 in the 5,000 meters at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships; ran a season-best 14:57.00 in the 5,000 meters at the Drake Relays; won the 3,000 meters at the Dr Pepper Invitational with a time of 8:38.93; won the 1,500 meters at the UT-Arlington Invitational with a time of 3:54.32; ran a season-best 3:53.49 to finish third in the 1,500 meters at the Michael Johnson Classic; finished third in the mile at the Houston Opener with a time of 4:27.45; finished third at the Red Raider Classic in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:43.11; and earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors.

During 2006 Bo finished 17th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Midwest Regional with a time of 4:02.18; placed 17th in the 1,500 meters at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships with a time of 3:57.56; ran a season-best time of 3:46.52 to finish fifth in the 1,500 meters at the Stanford Invitational; finished 14th in the 5,000 meters at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships with a time of 14:52.39; during the indoor season; finished 13th in the 3,000 meters at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, clocking 8:19.38; ran a season-best 8:16.72 in the 3,000 meters at the Razorback Invitational; ran a season-best 14:35.33 in the 5,000 meters at the Tyson Invitational; anchored Baylor’s distance medley relay team to third-place finish at Big 12 Indoor; and earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors.

Bo’s collegiate cross-country records read much the same way. His first season began with his freshman Spring semester.

In 2003, Bo was the Bears second finisher and 12th overall with a time of 25:27.6 to help the squad achieve its highest-ever finish of fifth at the Big 12 Championships and earn All-Big 12 honors; was the Bears top finisher and took second overall with a time of 25:00 at the North Texas Opener; was the Bears top finisher and 40th overall with a time of 25:05 at the Roy Griak Invitational; and earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors.

Bo competed in all six Baylor events in 2004, finishing first for the Bears four times; was the Bears top finisher, 12th overall, to earn all-region honors with a time of 30:39 at the NCAA South Central Regional; finished first for the Bears and eighth overall to earn All-Big 12 honors with a time of 24:54.72 at the Big 12 Championships; was the Bears top finisher, 16th overall, clocking a 30:20.1 at the Chile Pepper Invitational; finished third for Baylor, 74th overall, with a time of 25:55 at the Roy Griak Invitational; captured the individual title with a time of 25:14 at the North Texas Opener; and First-team Academic All-Big 12 Honors.

In 2005 Bo’s luck seemed to wain when he was redshirted for the 2005 season after being struck by a car. However, Bo returned in the 2006 season to lead the Bears with an 18th-place finish at the Big 12 Championships; earned all-region honors with a 15thplace finish at the NCAA South Central Regional; and first-team Academic All-Big 12 Honors.

In an interview on the Baylor University website dated October 23, 2006, Head track & field and cross country coach Todd Harbour spoke of Bo’s return to the track just a month after being struck by a car: “It›s definitely an inspiration, for him to come back shows how much of a tough, young man he is,” Harbour said.

Upon his graduation from Baylor University Bo received his Bachelors Degree of Medical Humanities. When you take into account that he was named to the honor roll every semester of his college career, it’s no surprise that he was one of only 20 recipients of the Big 12s highest academic honor in 2006-07.

The Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services’ pioneer who passed away in March 2005. The list of all-time recipients has grown to 461 since the inception of the league in 1996-97.

To be eligible, nominees must maintain a consistent GPA of at least 3.5, compete for two years in intercollegiate athletics, and enroll in graduate or professional school within 15 months of being selected.

In the little town of Atlanta, everyone knows everyone, the comings and goings of its people and especially the kids that grow up here. Having grown up in this silent metropolis and been in the school system as well and as my own kids being involved in activities for the majority of my life, the wealth of people that reside here is mind boggling. I’m speaking of the wealth in terms of kindness, generosity, love, gentleness and passion. Bo was one of those people that exhibited intense passion and love of the moment no matter what he was doing. He showed love and generosity as a school age child and teenager by how he cared for his friends, teammates and others that crossed his path in life, he was always glad to share what he had with others. His gentle spirit allowed him to be a confidant and offer support for those needing comfort. As a doctor, he genuinely loved and cared for his patients, always taking time to ask about people not seen regularly but certainly not forgotten. He always seemed to know what needed to be done for any particular situation, medical or mental. He leaves a legacy, and certainly one that will last a lifetime. Rest in love Bo as you have kept the faith and finished the race.

- Connie Adams

Bo attended medical school at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Worth. In 2015, he completed his Residency with University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. While practicing medicine full-time at Ellington Clinic in Atlanta, he also completed a Fellowship with UAMS in Emergency Medicine in 2018. Bo continued to serve his community at Christus St. Michael--Atlanta as an Emergency Medicine physician.

****************************** Dr. Price was a great addition to Ellington Clinic. We were disappointed when he chose to go the ER route but happy when he decided to stay in Atlanta. He was an excellent physician and will be missed.

- Joe Dan Nichols, M.D.

From setting track records to caring for patients, Bo packed a lot into his short 36-year life. Friends, classmates, co-workers and patients were left reeling with grief when news of his passing made its way through town.

Bo’s loss is a tragedy. Not just for his precious family or his countless friends, but for our little community He is what right looks like. He worked hard to develop his talents. Eagle Scout, track star, Doctor, Deacon, family man; he walked the walk and did it with humility. He leaves quite a legacy and will be missed immeasurably.

- Mayor Travis Ransom

“Bo and I had a relationship for more than 20 years. During his high school running days we saw each other almost daily, and I went to his college meets. When he was in Atlanta he ran past my house, and we always gave him some water or a snack,” Pynes reminisced. “Whatever he had as a goal, he attacked it full force. Bo was a leader. The payoff of being a coach is seeing the kids grow up and succeed. That’s when we know that all the time we put into it was worth it.”

I always loved working with Dr Price in the ER! I remember him physically running from room to room and back to the desk to put orders in just so people didn’t have to wait! He always put the patient first, even if it meant helping a nurse do something that wasn’t necessarily a doctors’ duty. He has many jewels in his crown and we are all better to have known and been in the presence of a faithful servant such as he. Your job on Earth is done, Dr Price, and you have won your last race. You will be missed by many.

- Hillary Neville