Dr. Charles Simmons III: Jacksonville pediatrician remembered as ‘gentle soul, giant in the community’ – News4JAX

Dr. Charles Simmons III: Jacksonville pediatrician remembered as ‘gentle soul, giant in the community’  News4JAX

The Jacksonville community and medical field are mourning the death of Dr. Charles Errington Simmons III, a pediatrician who spent decades caring for North Florida families and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville community and medical field are mourning the death of Dr. Charles Errington Simmons III, a pediatrician who spent decades caring for North Florida families and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Simmons, 74, died July 13. Those who knew him describe him as compassionate, patient, and deeply committed to the people he served. “He was a gentle soul but a giant in the community,” said Dr. Christina Monford-McNish, a cosmetic and general dentist in Jacksonville who was once Simmons’ patient — and later, his apprentice.

Monford-McNish’s connection to Dr. Simmons began in childhood, when he was her pediatrician. As a high school student, she landed a job at his office through a medical apprenticeship program he created for local students. Monford-McNish went on to graduate from Raines High School, Florida A&M University, and the University of Florida before building her career as a dentist in Jacksonville. “Compassion,” she said, when asked what word first came to mind thinking of Dr. Simmons. “He was such a compassionate physician. I can only hope that I can live up to that — the