Services Monday for Dr. Russell Travis, health-care leader, 87

Russell Travis, M.D.

Funeral services will be held Monday in Lexington for Dr. Russell Travis, a retired surgeon who was a longtime leader in Kentucky's health-care community. He died Oct. 29 at the age of 87.

Travis served as chair of the state Board of Medical Licensure and the state Workers' Compensation Board and held various positions with the American Academy of Occupational Medicine. He was president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a longtime member of the Joint Washington Committee of Neurosurgery, which helped set national policy for neurological medicine. 

He was a visiting professor at medical schools in Kentucky, South Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi and Virginia. His many awards included the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators and the Service to Mankind Award from the Kentucky Medical Association.

Travis grew up in Glasgow but was born in Jenkins, on the Virginia border, and he "would often speak fondly of his years in the mountains," his obituary said. "He gave back to the Appalachian community for over 30 years, by providing on-site neurosurgical care to those residents who lacked access."

He is survived by his wife, Jill Travis, four children, a brother and six grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 7, with funeral services following immediately, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on Harrodsburg Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kentucky Easter Seals or the Lexington Humane Society.