BORIS LEON PAYAN, M.D.
1933-2017
Dr. Boris Leon Payan, was born in 1933. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and physician. He passed peacefully at home on the 10th of February 2017, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Born in Ciego de Avila, Cuba in the pre-Castro era, he moved to Havana, Cuba in 1945 where he attended Chandler College. Following an outstanding career at Chandler, he was accepted into Havana University Medical School. He excelled in medical school where his love of anatomy and drawing came together and his medical illustrations were regularly published in the university publications as well as used for teaching future physicians by the anatomy department. He graduated from Havana Medical School in 1957 and was accepted into Baylor College of Medicine as a Surgery Intern in 1958. He subsequently transitioned into the Anesthesia Residency, where he excelled during Dr. Michael DeBakey’s zenith of cardiovascular innovation. Upon completion of his residency, he began work in Pasadena, Texas where he and two friends began RPK Anesthesia which serviced Pasadena General Hospital, Bayshore Hospital and Southmore Hospital.
Almost immediately upon arrival in Texas he met the love of his life, Margaret, who was working as a nurse. They were married the next year, and went to Cuba in 1960. It would be another 20 years before he could see the faces of his family there again. These events taught him a lesson he would follow the remainder of his days, to always put family first. He loved his family above all else, Margaret, and his three children: Cristina, Ariel, and Zuzette. He believed that strong education was essential for success. Beyond this, he believed in dedication to each other, generous with his love and his time he was always present for all activities, sports, music and children’s events. Believing that time spent with family was always time well spent.
Dr. Payan was an outstanding physician. His intelligence, dedication and outgoing bedside manner made him a favorite in every hospital he worked in. He always believed that the patient was more than just a walking illness or medical problem to be solved, he lived the belief that a great physician would learn about their patient and help them overcome their ailment. Dr. Payan was also a great innovator in his field. In 1976 Dr. Payan opened Surgicare, the first freestanding physician owned outpatient surgery center in Texas, and the third in the nation. The outpatient center exceeded expectations and the business model he created is still used today to provide health care. In the 1980’s Dr. Payan helped open Vista Medical Center Hospital. He eventually transitioned to pain management medicine, opening centers in both Houston and Beaumont. He loved practicing medicine, finally retiring in 2008 due to health reasons.
He was a member of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church congregation. He was a life long member of the American Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society and a member of the Anaesthesiology Society. He was involved in the Alley Theater, DaCamara of Houston and Ballet of Houston. He was an active member in Sembradores de la Amistad, and the Institute of Hispanic Culture Club Eleven. He was an avid reader of history and Hispanic literature and a great lover of the theater and other arts and continued his love of drawing through painting in his retirement.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Payan and Maria Cristina Payan Viego as well as his first child Bryan Keith Payan. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Margaret and his children Maria Cristina Payan Cox and husband Reid, Manuel Ariel Payan and wife Beth, and Zuzette Payan Cullinan and husband Greg. His 5 grandchildren, Xavier Leon Tabanou, Xiomara Lucia Tabanou, Helen Lena Payan, Baron Leon Payan and Rohan Payan Cullinan will miss him dearly. The family would like to extend sincere heartfelt thanks to Lucy Ramirez, Maria Teresa Carnivales, Fabiola Montoya, and Ramona Wagner, who’s excellent care of him in his final years went beyond expectations.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the Payan family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 14th of February 2017, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 15th of February 2017, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Parish Life Center.
The rite of committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be will be Ariel Payan, Greg Cullinan, Reid Cox, Omar Vidal, Bobby Hopper, Jr., Michael Garza, Scott Byler and Louis Byler.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in honor for Dr. Payan, may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 North Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056.