Kirk D, Ramin

Dr. Kirk D. Ramin [age 58] passed away on February 29, 2020 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease for over four years. 

Kirk was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Russell LeRoyRamin, mother, Opal Dyrstad Ramin, and sister, Kathleen MarieRamin. He is survived by his sons, Seth Ramin (Cristina Ramin), Jared Ramin (Amber Hoffman), and Chase Ramin and his siblings, Karl Ramin, Dr. Susan Ramin (Norman Lester, Jr.), and Kaye Ramin (Mark Anderson).

Kirk was born in Minneapolis, MN on February 27, 1962. He grew up in Brooklyn Center, MN and attended Robbinsdale Senior High School (1976-1980). He attended the University of Saint Thomas in St. Paul, MN on a band scholarship and graduated cum laude in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. Shortly after, Kirk matriculated to the University of Minnesota Medical School where he completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1988. His postdoctoral training was completed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX, which included a Residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology (1988-1992) and a Fellowship program in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (1992-1994). 

Upon graduation from his fellowship program, Kirk D. Ramin,MD, accepted an associate professor position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he would practice from 1994 to 2003. During his time at the Mayo Clinic, Kirk became the division head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and he was recognized as theMayo Fellows’ Association Teacher of the Year (1995, 1997, and 2001), and as a result he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. In 2003, Dr. Ramin returned to his alma mater [University of Minnesota Medical School] where he founded the first Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program in the state of Minnesota. He practiced at the University of Minnesota for the remainder of his career, and served as Fellowship Director until 2016. While the fellowship was his pride and joy, Dr. Raminalso had the opportunity to deliver an orangutan, Jaya, at the Como Zoo – an experience that he always cherished. 

Dr. Ramin’s contributions to medicine extended to the regional and national level. He was a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), President of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists(CAOG), and the President of the Minnesota Perinatal Organization. Dr. Ramin was also chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) District VI Continuing Medical Education Committee.  

Dr. Kirk Ramin was a prolific academic physician, excelling in his clinical, teaching, and research duties. During his career, he co-authored over 100 articles, including over 70 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Ramin also contributed to the medical literature as an ad hoc reviewer for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics & Gynecology. 

While Dr. Ramin’s life was dedicated to his career and his patients, he loved spending time with his three boys at his family’s farm in Alexandria, MN. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and going to classic car shows. Kirk took every opportunity to teach his sons valuable life lessons and skills. He taught them to be responsible and independent, and most importantly, how to exercise compassion when caring for others. 

Dr. Ramin’s career and academic endeavors served to benefit his favorite aspects of medicine: patient care, education of students, and the improvement of healthcare for women and their babies. While his career was cut short, Kirk was able to make major contributions to women’s healthcare in America. Dr. Ramin’slegacy continues on through the Kirk D. Ramin, MD Endowment Fund, which is dedicated to providing monetary support to physicians, nurses, and sonographers so they may attend educational conferences. The family prefers memorials to be made as a donation to the Kirk D. Ramin, MD Endowment Fund. Donations can be made at http://c-fund.us/qon. Donations may also be mailed to Dr. Yasuko Yamamura, University of Minnesota Medical Center. Riverside Professional Building. 606 24th Ave S, Suite 400. Minneapolis, MN 55454. 

Services will be held at Billman-Hunt Funeral Chapel on April 18th, 2020. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Memorial Service at 11:00 AM, and Lunch at 12:00 PM. There will be a private family burial at the Crystal Lake Cemetery on April 18, 2020 We would like to thank Dr. Amy Green Gauer, Dr. Paul Gauer, and Kari Berman for their love, dedication, and support to Kirk during his battle with Alzheimer's disease. The memorial service has been postponed. The new date is to be determined

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