John Alan Jefferies

Dr. John Alan Jefferies passed away on Wednesday November 23rd 2011 at Saint Marys Hospital at the age of 68 years.Dr. Jefferies was a distinguished consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1976 until his retirement in 2008. He returned to the Gynecologic Division on a part-time basis until his death. Dr. Jefferies is fondly remembered by all who knew him as a humane, caring, skilled physician, tutor and mentor. He was a leading national expert on the gynecological malformations caused by Diethylstilboestrol exposure in utero. His magnum opus, Structural anomalies of the cervix and vagina in women enrolled in the Diethylstilbestrol adenosis (DESAD) project published in 1984 remains a classic reading. His early interest in the medical management of gynecological cancers led to a fruitful and endearing career in what is now known as medical oncology. He was an early active member of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and true to the depth of his knowledge, interest and expertise - served as the chair of the Labor Guidelines Taskforce of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Latterly, he served as a rich fountain of knowledge and mentor to resident staff, medical students and faculty colleagues in diagnosing and treating rare gynecological disorders. He had a warm and engaging personality with a dry sense of humor. His probing intelligence with his sense of adventure made him a joy to spend time with. He enjoyed traveling and for all his worldly knowledge, lived quite simply. He was once asked why he never owned a sophisticated camera to take pictures of the places he traveled to; he responded, The best picture is what you see with your own eyes. Dr. Jefferies was born (one of a set of twins) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on December 15, 1942. He graduated from Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, Phi Beta Kappa, Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania, Alpha Omega Alpha, and subsequently enrolled in the Army where he served with distinction as a Major in Ansbach Germany from 1969 -1972. He then finished a 4-year residency training program in obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic Rochester where he distinguished himself and was awarded the Lawrence Randall Travel Award for outstanding service and clinical excellence. He joined the staff at Mayo Clinic Rochester in 1976 and continued in his role as a consultant until his retirement in 2008. He belonged to many professional organizations including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Minnesota OBGYN Society and American Society of Law and Medicine. He is survived by his wife, Lan Bui Jefferies; his 5 children, John Jefferies Jr., Caryll (Scott) Jefferies Semmler, Michael (Darbi) Jefferies, Lisa Anne Jefferies, Diana Bui Nguyen; twin brother, George (Nancy) Edwin Jefferies III; Sisters-in-law, Than (That) Bui, Mao(Khang) Bui, Ngo Bui, Lien (Hao) Bui; Brother-in-law, Ngoc (Mai) Bui; and 3 grandchildren, Skye, Jade and Brett. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29th at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes.A visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) or the Rochester Womens Shelter.