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Southern surgeons’ successes with an emphasis on vascular surgery

1994; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0741-5214(94)90129-5

1097-6809

Norman M. Rich,

History of Medical Practice

It is with honor and pride that I take the liberty of providing an Arizona welcome at the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS) in the beautiful "Valley of the Sun," which has witnessed the rapid development of metropolitan Phoenix "rising from the ashes" of an ancient civilization, similar to the mythologic bird, the phoenix. This reference is particularly pertinent to me because Ray, Ariz., where I spent the first 18 years of my life, disappeared in 1965 and was replaced by the Kennecott Copper Company "open-pit" mine. Stanford Medical School in San Francisco is gone; most of the old Letterman Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco, where I trained, has been torn down; the hospital where I served at An Khe, Republic of Vietnam, is no longer in existence; and most of the old Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., where I served for many years, no longer exists. The challenge of continuing to "rise from the ashes" is one that I understand all too well! I want to review what I believe is an important nucleus of contributions to vascular surgery from Southern surgeons identified by those who have served as president of the SAVS. Table I identifies these contributors by the states in which they lived at the time they served as president. Obviously, there is a rich Southwestern heritage for the SAVS. Arizona, and specifically Scottsdale, was the site of the Third Annual Meeting. In paying tribute to surgeons in the South who have contributed to vascular surgery, it is appropriate to include the Arizona connection in this review. In 1983, our sixth president, Dr. Calvin B. Ernst, presided over the first Arizona meeting in Scottsdale (Fig. 1).As the first secretary-treasurer, Dr. Ernst developed our logo, which was included in his presidential address. 1Ernst CB. Presidential address: the development and purpose of a regional vascular society.Surgery. 1983; 94: 729-735PubMed Google Scholar Dr. Ernst, in reviewing the early history of the SAVS, emphasized the role of the SAVS among the regional vascular societies.Table IPresidents of SAVSArkansasBernard W. Thompson1985-6FloridaDaniel P. Nunn1988-9GeorgiaGarland D. Perdue, Jr.1978-9Robert B. Smith, III1992-3LouisianaJohn L. Ochsner1984-5Larry H. Hollier1994-5MarylandCalvin B. Ernst1982-3G. Melville Williams1991-2Norman M. Rich1993-4North CarolinaA. Robert Cordell1983-4George Johnson, Jr.1987-8Richard H. Dean1990-1South CarolinaJ. Manly Stallworth1981-2TennesseeJohn H. Foster1976-8W. Andrew Dale1980-1H. Edward Garrett1989-90TexasE. Stanley Crawford1979-80Jesse E. Thompson1986-7Although many of the techniques in vascular surgery were known and used both clinically and experimentally by the turn of the century, it is widely recognized and appreciated that vascular surgery has developed over the past 40 years. As a result those recognized by their peers, noted above as presidents of the SAVS, have provided valuable contributions and leadership in the United States and throughout the world identifying the southern surgeon's success: emphasizing vascular surgery. Open table in a new tab Although many of the techniques in vascular surgery were known and used both clinically and experimentally by the turn of the century, it is widely recognized and appreciated that vascular surgery has developed over the past 40 years. As a result those recognized by their peers, noted above as presidents of the SAVS, have provided valuable contributions and leadership in the United States and throughout the world identifying the southern surgeon's success: emphasizing vascular surgery. The third president, Dr. A. Robert Cordell, included a copy of the SAVS logo in his presidential address and manuscript. 2Cordell AR A lasting legacy: the life and work of Rudolf Matas.J VASC SURG. 1985; 2: 613-619PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar Dr. Cordell outlined pertinent Matas family history for us at that time. Whereas Dr. Cordell noted that Dr. Rudolph Matas' father moved to Tucson, I have had the opportunity to identify additional details related to the practice of surgery by Dr. Rudolph Matas' father in Tucson beginning in 1881. This date was 7 years earlier than the classic report on "endoaneurysmorrhapy" published from the New Orleans experience of Dr. Rudolph Matas in 1888. An additional international Matas connection was presented at an early SAVS meeting. 3Rich NM Clagett GP Salander JM Pišceviƒ S The Matas/Soubbotitch connection.Surgery. 1983; 93: 17-19PubMed Google Scholar Dr. Narcisco Henru Matas (1837 – 1904), who was usually known as Dr. Henri N. Matas, received degrees from the New Orleans School of Medicine, in 1859; the University of Barcelona, Spain in 1866; and Academic Medico Quirurgica Gerona, Italy, in 1876, as recorded in Pima County in 1881 and 1885. 4Quebbeman FE. Medicine in territorial Arizona. Arizona Historical Foundation, Phoenix1966Google Scholar He was a registered physician in Tucson, Ariz. for 25 years, from 1881 until his death in 1904. Dr. H. N. Matas, as the only real expert in the area on the subject of yellow fever, made a number of observations in Arizona in 1883. Nevertheless, the healthy Arizona climate was rapidly recognized, and many sanitariums were developed throughout the state, including one at old Fort McDowell, for those with lung diseases. Numerous military surgeons, including Dr. Walter Reed, contributed to managing similar challenges with malaria and yellow fever in the Southwest. A proposal was also made in 1895 that a surgical institute be established in Tucson. Dr. Matas made plans holding the Tucson franchise for rehabilitation for those with alcohol and drug addictions. Dr. Matas was also trained to treat eye problems with both medicine and surgery, and patients came from hundreds of miles away to seek his assistance. When credentialling questions arose in 1883 in Tucson regarding another physician who, like Dr. Matas, was foreign-born and largely foreign-educated, the justice in Pima County determined that these two physicians were the best educated physicians in Pima County and probably in the entire Arizona Territory. Because the valuable contributions of Dr. Rudolph Matas are well documented and well known, imposing limitations negate further comment. To add to the appropriate recognition of Dr. Rudolph Matas as a Southern pioneer in Vascular Surgery, which led to appropriate recognition on the SAVS Logo, the fifteenth president, Dr. G. Melville Williams, detailed the southern heritage of another surgeon from Baltimore, Dr. Bertram Bernheim, who had a southern heritage. 5Williams GM Bertram M. Bernheim: a southern vascular surgeon.J VASC SURG. 1992; 16: 311-318Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Interestingly, Dr. Bernheim has been recognized on the logo of the Chesapeake Vascular Society, which represents the Greater Baltimore - Washington, D.C. area. In his presidential address, Dr. Daniel B. Nunn identified and outlined the contributions of Dr. William S. Halsted to our legacy. 6Nunn DB Presidential address: William Stewart Halsted - a profile of courage, dedication, and scientific search for truth.J VASC SURG. 1989; 10: 221-229PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar Last year, President Robert B. Smith emphasized the important contributions of Dr. Arthur B. Voorhees, Jr., 7Smith 3d, RB Arthur B. Voorhees, Jr.: pioneer vascular surgeon.J VASC SURG. 1993; 18: 341-348Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar adding additional important documentation for our heritage, including the educational opportunities that Dr. Voorhees had in the South. Among the pioneering leaders in vascular surgery with either a southern heritage or southern surgical practice have been Drs. Michael E. DeBakey, Carl W. Hughes, Alton Ochsner, Sr., Charles G. Rob, David C. Sabiston, Jr., and Harris B. Shumacker, Jr. I want to emphasize that Dr. John H. Foster was a pioneering vascular surgeon who wanted to provide an opportunity for surgeons with southern heritage to meet annually, and this was the genesis of the first organizational meeting called by Dr. Foster in Nashville in 1976 (Fig. 2).Although most of Dr. Foster's documentation is in his own handwriting, I want to share with all of you what he documented repeatedly: that one of his most cherished accomplishments was the foundation of SAVS. Doctor John H. Foster served as visiting professor in the Department of Surgery of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for more than 1 year, which allowed me the opportunity of discussing the SAVS and his thoughts regarding the SAVS in great detail. Dr. Ernst, in his presidential address, provided historical documentation and an outline of SAVS activities in the early years. 1Ernst CB. Presidential address: the development and purpose of a regional vascular society.Surgery. 1983; 94: 729-735PubMed Google Scholar Because of the interest and support of our past presidents, particularly Drs. Cal Ernst, George Johnson, Dan Nunn, and Bob Smith, I was able to provide an oral historical resume at the completion of the presidential dinner at the fifteenth SAVS Meeting in Palm Springs. This included interesting anecdotal exchanges, such as that with Governor Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia determining whether West Virginia could or should be included in the SAVS. Among the five of us, and with the support of other officers and members at large, we have organized the position of archivist, and work continues to preserve our heritage with a special recognition at our twenty-fifth anniversary, 7 years from now. Archivist and past president, Dr. George Johnson, who also served as the second secretary-treasurer of the SAVS, is organizing a preliminary historical document for our twentieth anniversary as we prepare for the Silver Jubilee in 2001. Original letters and photographs, among other items, will be retained in the Atlanta Historical Society Building. Limitations of time and space do not provide adequate recognition for the many accomplishments of SAVS members. One example is cited and because President John Foster, in the first few years of SAVS activities, presented me with a challenge to convince the American College of Surgeons that vascular surgery should be included in the Friday session "What's New?" My "reward" was to be given the challenge to organize the first "What's New in Peripheral Vascular Surgery," which I did with pride representing the SAVS. 8Rich NM. What's new in peripheral vascular surgery.Bull ACS. 1979; 64: 25Google Scholar One of the cherished traditions of SAVS from the beginning was the contribution of a distinguished invited speaker who could come from any location in the world to add to the scientific and social program. I have been particularly pleased and proud that Dr. James C. Stanley has served in that capacity for the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the SAVS. His outstanding presentation was greatly appreciated by all in attendance. As with those who preceded him, Dr. Stanley was recognized with honorary membership in the SAVS. We have appreciated and enjoyed the faithful support of our honorary members. As with the Southern Surgical Association, which has a broad base outside of the traditional South, the SAVS is proud of the contributions of members from other areas. We have always enjoyed emphasizing the South as noting that one of our first elected members from outside of the traditional South was Dr. Frank J. Veith, from the South Bronx! When our current President-Elect, Dr. Larry H. Hollier, moved to new challenges we knew that no one would question his Southern heritage and it was reassuring to emphasize that he had moved to Southern Scotland! I have appreciated the distinct and singular privilege of serving as SAVS president. I want to express my sincere gratitude to a good friend of many years, Dr. G. Patrick Clagett, who has served in an exemplary manner as our fourth secretary-treasurer, as well as to Ms. Terri Rojas, who has ensured the success of our Eighteenth Annual Meeting. I am also grateful to the majority of my immediate family who have traveled long distances to be with me. I only hope that I have been successful in carrying on the outstanding heritage of southern surgeons maintaining and expanding traditions appropriately. As we look forward to welcoming new members into the SAVS who will complement the outstanding talent already existent among our ranks, I am confident that the SAVS will continue to provide outstanding leadership in vascular surgery in our country and in the world. We know that Dr. R. James Valentine, winner of this year's President's Award, will be among the future leaders for the SAVS. In this beautiful land where spectacularly diverse sunsets command the attention of everyone, I am confident that the sun will never set on the SAVS, and we have already witnessed the rise of the phoenix in our Southern Association for Vascular Surgery! Additional documentation and reference to Arizona history, particularly Confederate activities in the Southwest in the last century, can be obtained from the author.