In Memory of Dr. Roland Chamblee

Dr. Roland Chamblee

November 23, 1923 – September 23, 2010

The community lost one of its pioneers in medicine and civil rights, a very dear friend, and a good and giving man with the passing of Dr. Roland Chamblee.

Born in Atlanta, Dr. Chamblee served the United States in World War II reaching the rank of First Lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers. He received a Purple Heart for injuries he suffered during the Normandy Invasion. Following the war, Dr. Chamblee earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a PhD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. That’s where he met his wife Dorothy and the couple went on to have six children. Dorothy passed away in 1995.

Dr. Chamblee arrived in South Bend in 1953, serving an internship at what is now Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. He went into private practice a year later.

Dr. Chamblee worked just as tirelessly to promote racial justice as he did as a physician. He became deeply involved in efforts to end discrimination in South Bend, accepting patients of all races and assembling an integrated staff.

A longtime advocate of public health, Dr. Chamblee helped establish the Sister Maura Brannick, CSC, Health Center on Chapin Street and Western Avenue in South Bend, serving as its medical director while volunteering much of his time to provide healthcare for the poor and underserved. He also volunteered at many free health screenings.

“He loved this community,” said Carla Bice, manager of the Health Center. “He loved the clinic and he loved serving all of our patients.”

Always looking for ways to improve the delivery of healthcare throughout the entire community, Dr. Chamblee served as the Director of the St. Joseph County Board of Health.

“Dr. Chamblee was motivated by all the right values,” said Dr. Steven Gable, SJRMC’s Vice President of Medical Quality Improvement. “Love of his patients, the good and ethical practice of medicine, generosity of his time and his talents, and a strong belief in the Mission of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.”

May he rest in peace.