Alton Ochsner Sr.(May 4, 1896 – September 24, 1981) was an Americansurgeonand medical researcher who worked atTulane Universityand otherNew Orleanshospitals before he establishedThe Ochsner Clinic.Now known asOchsner Medical Center,the clinic is the flagship hospital ofOchsner Health System.Among its many services areheart transplants.[2]
Alton Ochsner | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1896 |
| Died | September 24, 1981(aged 85) New Orleans,Louisiana,U.S. |
| Education | Washington University in St. Louis University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Known for | Founder of Ochsner Clinic |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Surgeon;medical researcher |
| Institutions | Tulane University,Touro Infirmary,Ochsner Clinic |
| Research | Surgery |
Medical career
editAlton Ochsner was raised inKimball,South Dakota.He was recruited to Tulane from theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison.In 1927, he succeededRudolph Matasasprofessorand chairman of the Tulane Department of Surgery.[3]Although Tulane did not have its own hospital at the time, Ochsner succeeded in organizing a surgical teaching programs atNew Orleans Charity Hospital,an institution that provided clinical opportunities to Ochsner and his students.[4]Ochsner's refusal to hire a friend of Louisiana governorHuey Longformed part of the background for Long's establishing another medical school, now theLSU Health Sciences Center,across the street from theTulane University School of Medicine.
As a medical student atWashington University in St. Louis,young Ochsner was summoned to observelung cancersurgery—something, he was told, that he might never see again. He did not witness another case for seventeen years. Then he observed eight in six months all being smokers who had picked up the habit inWorld War I.
As a teacher, he became renowned, perhaps notorious to his medical students and residents, for his intense verbal cross-examinations in the Charity Hospital amphitheater, or "bull pen" as it is known. He believed the psychologically taxing ordeal programmed students to perform well under stress and kept them on their toes. AtTouro Hospitalone of his patients was jazz musicianMuggsy Spanier,who credited Ochsner with saving his life and composed the tune "Relaxin' at the Touro" during his recovery.
Ochsner injected his grandchildren with the polio vaccine from Cutter Laboratories, a tragic event which killed his grandson and gave his granddaughter polio.[5]
Ochsner clinic
editTheOchsner Clinic,which he cofounded, was one of the first to document the link betweencancerandcigaretteuse.[6]He pioneered the "war againstsmoking."His leadership in exposing the hazards oftobaccoand its link to lung cancer remain one of his most important contributions. He maintained this association even though he was criticized and ridiculed by his peers. Known today as the Ochsner Medical Center, it is one of the United States's largest group practices and academic medical centers. In 1990 alone, the clinic had 650,000 outpatient visits.
Personal life
editIn 1948, he was namedRex, King of Carnival.He was a member ofThe Boston Club.[7]Ochsner was also involved inconservativepolitics, primarily within theRepublican Party.
Ochsner and his wife had four children.[8]
Awards
editIn 1962, Ochsner received the Golden Plate Award of theAmerican Academy of Achievement.[9]
References
edit- ^Re-echoing the Past,Elsie Petula, 2000, pp 12-13
- ^Ventura, HO (2002)."Alton Ochsner, MD: Physician".The Ochsner Journal.4(1): 48–52.PMC3399234.PMID22822315.
- ^Holt, Mary."Library Guides: Tulane University's Contributions to Health Sciences research and education: A Guide: Dr. E. W. Alton Ochsner, Sr".libguides.tulane.edu.Retrieved2024-06-05.
- ^Ventura, Hector O. (2002)."Alton Ochsner, MD: Physician".The Ochsner Journal.4(1): 48–52.ISSN1524-5012.PMC3399234.PMID22822315.
- ^"BULBAR POLIO KILLS DOCTOR'S GRANDSON (May 5, 1955)".The New York Times.5 May 1955.RetrievedSeptember 9,2018.
- ^Sirvaitis, Karen (1 September 2001).South Dakota.Lerner Publications. p. 69.ISBN978-0-8225-4070-0.
- ^"The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune 31 Jan 1959, page Page 10".
- ^"Dr. Isabel Lockwood Ochsner".New Orleans Times-Picayune.RetrievedNovember 13,2012.
- ^"Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement".www.achievement.org.American Academy of Achievement.