Augusto "Gus" Ortiz, MD, who served as former medical director of the UA Mobile Health Program and established a legacy in health for the underserved, died Dec. 16 in his home in Tucson. He was 89.

Dr. Ortiz was born in Puerto Rico in 1917 and received his medical degree from the University of Illinois. This pioneering family doctor came to Arizona in 1953. He served in the Air Force at Luke Air Force Base and then opened a medical office in Phoenix. In addition to his busy practice, he developed neighborhood health centers and worked tirelessly to help improve working conditions of farm workers.

In 1972, he joined the UA College of Medicine faculty, working at El Rio Health Center and serving as medical director of the Mobile Health Program at the UA Rural Health Office. He labored to make health care accessible to all—rural and urban, poor as well as rich, immigrant and native—developing community health centers, and the UA Mobile Health Program. Many awards were given to him, but the best rewards were the smiles of patients. He is survived by his wife and collaborator, Martha, and children, Judith Ortiz (Ronald Phillips), Betty Jane Ortiz (Roy Timpson), Carl Ortiz (Maria Elena Ortiz), and Quintin Ortiz (caregiver to his Dad). The oldest, Margarita Ortiz, passed away in 2003. Grandchildren are: Gareth, Sophia, Gregory, Frank, Emily and Juliana.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Jan. 26, 4 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University, Tucson.