Basilio Nery Bautista M.D.

Basilio Nery Bautista, M.D. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on December 22, 2022. Basil was born in Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines to the late Governor Basilio Borja Bautista and Nazaria Nery Bautista. He was educated at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila where he received his high school, Bachelor of Science, and Medical Degrees. Immigrating to the United States, he did his internship at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. For his early surgical training he went to Hahnemann University Medical Center in Philadelphia, then moved to Malden Medical Center in Boston for 2 more years where he was the Chief Resident. After 2 years of additional surgical oncologic training in Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, New York, he proceeded to the University of Manitoba Medical Center and Winnipeg General Children’s Hospital to train for 2 more years under Dr. Desmond Kernahan, considered a legend in Plastic Surgery. Basil was the Plastic Surgery Chief Resident and authored a winning research paper. He took up his research fellowship in plastic surgery at the University of Manitoba where he concentrated on wound healing. He came back to the United States and became southern Delaware and Dover’s first plastic surgeon, inspiring the title of his memoir, “Dover’s First Plastic Surgeon.” His artistic gift, active imagination, ability to recognize the needs of patients, knack to strike right at the core of human emotion, and dedication to his craft, helped him establish a successful 30-year practice of plastic surgery. His broad experience and wide-ranging talents brought him local and international recognition especially in giving beautiful smiles by repairing cleft lips and palates, meticulous wound repair, facial, breast, and hand surgeries. He was a pioneer in the use of LASER Surgery and was the first plastic surgeon to use LASER in his practice and establish the first non-hospital same-day surgery facility in Delaware to help patients afford cosmetic surgery. His talents and interests outside of medicine were numerous as well. Basil was a passionate advocate for the people of Delaware. Despite a busy practice, with unparalleled brilliance for understanding from the heart, he dedicated countless hours to organizations, institutions, and charities. He was a member of different school boards from grade school to college levels. His cultural contributions to the community were extensive. He was a multi-awarded artist, writer, poet, photographer, and composer, establishing the first art gallery in Dover that served as a venue for local artists to showcase their work. In his involvement and support of the arts in Dover, he acted not only in the capacity of patron, but as a participant in the local community theatre and a Nutcracker production of a local company. The art gallery at the Schwartz Center for the Arts was named after him. He successfully produced CDs of his original musical compositions. For such an array of art contributions, he was a recipient of Dover Mayor’s Arts Awards. His career included several positions and awards. To name a few of those he was so proud of were: Philippine Centennial Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement in Plastic Surgery, 1998; Twenty Outstanding Filipinos in the US and Canada, 2001, and Dover’s Person of the Year, 2003. He also served in such varied positions as associate editor of the International Journal of Laser Surgery and Medicine and the Executive Director of the Philippine Association of Plastic Surgeons of America. One of his greatest contributions to the greater Dover area were his humanitarian works. He retired from his long practice of Plastic Surgery to help raise his children and dedicate more time to charity. During his practice, he served in several international surgical missions of mercy but decided to take his missions close to home. He established the HOPE Foundation which in collaboration with two of his close friends, created the HOPE Clinic to serve the uninsured in Delaware. He founded the Child HELP Foundation to help children with disabilities in Delaware and in so doing, he helped his own children develop the skills of good leadership, enhanced their virtue of compassion, and encouraged them to embrace a true love of service to others. He received many awards and recognition for his humanitarian works. Basil was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Elpidio, Delfina, Jovencio, and Purita. He was known as one of Dover’s most eligible bachelors for the longest time, enjoying traveling all over the world, until he finally met the love of his life. He was a devoted husband and father. Basil is survived by his wife of 27 years, Amelia Arabe-Bautista, M.D. and their four children, the light of his life: Basilio Nicolo, twins Basilio Nathaniel and Bernadette Nazarie, and Basilio Noah; his sister, Florchita of Vancouver, Canada; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Basil will be long remembered as a superb surgeon and community leader, by those who had the opportunity to know him and considered him a friend. He will always be remembered as a gift of light to his family and an image of hope for so many. In honor of Basil’s memory, please share and enjoy his music and the art he had created, join his family to continue his legacy of service and touch the lives of others. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Child HELP Foundation, 6 Wyncliff Lane, Newark, Delaware 19711. A visitation will be held from 10-11 AM on Friday, December 30 at St. John Holy Angels Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Rd., Newark, DE 19711. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11 AM. Burial will be private. For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com

Basilio Nery Bautista M.D.

March 2, 1935 - December 22, 2022

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