Dr. George C. Bolian, II

Dr. George C. Bolian II, MD was born to parents Dr. George W. Bolian, DDS and Effie McQuaid Bolian. George was predeceased by his parents and beloved grandfather, Dr. George C. Bolian, DDS and his former wife, Patricia (Pat) Green Bolian.

George was born and raised in New Orleans where he thrived in its diverse cultural environment. He loved a good book, a dry martini and good jazz music. He would listen to jazz at home and mime being the orchestra conductor as he got lost in the music.

He attended the Isidore Newman School, which focused on teaching critical thinking and strong educational knowledge. George credited this special place with his love of learning. That experience made the most lasting impact of any in his life where many lifelong friendships were formed. He excelled in basketball and football as he distinguished himself academically becoming class Valedictorian. 

He obtained two undergraduate degrees in four years. George’s university education included the following: B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Chicago; B.A. Cum Laude, Harvard College with a focus on History and Literature; and, his M.D. from Tulane Medical School in New Orleans. His residencies were in Adult and Child Psychiatry. During his residencies in Ohio and New York, he met and married Patricia Green and they had two sons, Mark and Greg.

In support of George’s career, the family moved several times. In Hawaii, he served as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps at Tripler Army Medical Center for three years. After his military service, he joined the faculty of the University of Washington for five years, At the time, not much was known about autism which was his research focus in Seattle where he became the first full time medical director for psychiatry. He was then recruited back to Hawaii where he lived for sixteen more years. Next he became the Training Director at the University of Hawaii Medical School and following that, he served in administrative positions at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. He later became the President and CEO of the Queens Medical Center and Queens Health Systems after serving as the Senior Vice President of Patient Services for many years.

 During the Hawaii years, George met and married Patricia (Trish) Morrison and they had two sons, Josh and Zach. In 1986, they relocated to be nearer family with their young sons to Hendersonville, Tennessee where George opened a private psychiatric practice. In 1987, George joined the Department of Psychiatry faculty at Vanderbilt University until his retirement in 2009. There he served in a variety of capacities including residency training director, Medical Director of the Psychiatric Hospital, Division Director, Vice Chairman and Interim Chair. At the Vanderbilt University Medical Center he served as a member of the Medical Admissions Committee, chaired the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee for sixteen years and was elected to Chair the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Medical Board.

George leaves behind his loving family which includes his devoted wife Trish and four sons: Mark (Michelle), Oahu, Hawaii; Greg, San Diego, California; Josh (Amy) Nashville, Tennessee and Zach (Kate) Cornish, New Hampshire. He loved all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and he treasured being called “Poppy G.”

In reflecting on his life, George penned this:

“If any of my various activities have merit, rest assured they were achieved only with the unfailing support of my wife, a loving family and a host of precious friends (both human and canine).” When asked by Harvard for the 50th Anniversary Report how he wanted to be remembered, George said “As a decent guy.”

 A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon on March 1, 2025, at the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Luton Lecture Hall, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN. Visitation with family from 11:00 am before the service.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in his memory be directed to the Isidore Newman School, Office of Advancement, 1903 Jefferson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115.