Longtime Cherokee Physician Dies At 92

CANTON, GA — Longtime Cherokee obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. James Cross recently died at age 92, Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists said Thursday.

Cross founded Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists and was one of the first Georgia OB/GYNs to offer epidurals to women in labor, according to a news release from the medical center.

“Dr. Cross was not only an incredible influence on my life as a physician but also as a friend. He led a life of genuine character that was contagious. Dr. Cross was dedicated to his patients and to the art of medicine, someone worthy of the highest respect and trust from patients and peers," Dr. Michael Litrel said in the release.

"He taught me that the patient’s health comes first, and that is all that matters. The physicians at Cherokee Women’s Health continue that vision today as we strive to provide the kind of professional care and attention for our patients that we would expect for our own mothers, our wives, our daughters. In doing this, it is Dr. Cross’ example we follow.”

According to the release, Cross helped establish Atlanta's Northside Hospital's Labor and Delivery Unit in 1970 and was a "highly reputed" clinical professor at Georgia Baptist/Atlanta Medical Center.

He then went on to fill the void left by R.T. Jones Hospital, the sole-Cherokee County hospital that closed to patients who were pregnant in 1993, according to the release. The hospital had closed due to lack of a qualified physician.

"Obstetricians in Atlanta had seen bad outcomes in patients from North Georgia. Without access to local health care, these patients’ pregnancies sometimes resulted in tragedy. If the hospital in Canton closed its doors, the outcomes could become even worse for women and their babies," the release stated.

Cross opened Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists that same year before later developing cancer, the release stated.

"As the only obstetrician in Cherokee County, despite being (age) 63 and going through chemo, he kept delivering babies. Labor and Delivery nurses at the time can recall Dr. Cross being sick in the call room and faithfully continuing to deliver babies because there was no one else. Dr. Cross’ presence in Cherokee County was credited for cutting the perinatal morbidity and mortality rate for the county’s babies in half, a rate which before his arrival had been among the highest in the state. Dr. Cross saved countless babies’ lives and a small regional hospital, as well," the release stated.

A few years later, Northside bought R.T. Jones; and, in 2017, Northside Hospital Cherokee moved to its new location and expanded, the release stated.

According to the release, Northside Hospital Cherokee’s Labor and Delivery Unit delivers more babies per year than any other community hospital nationwide, the release stated.

"Dr. Cross’ legacy as an OB/GYN, teacher and mentor will live on through all those who benefited from his tireless compassion and generosity," the release stated.