John Jacob Abel

1857-1938

Widely regarded as the father of American pharmacology, he was appointed to the first chair of pharmacology in the U.S., at U-M.

John Alexander

1891-1954

Thoracic surgeon and professor of surgery at U-M, he advanced the treatment of tuberculosis and other chronic lung conditions.

Mathew Alpern

1920-1996

Professor of ophthalmology and physiology as well as psychology, and an expert in color vision, he made significant contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms of human vision.

Edmund Andrews

1824-1904, M.D. 1852

Surgeon and professor of comparative anatomy at U-M and Rush Medical College, he developed anesthetic agents and advanced surgical instrumentation and technique.

Carl E. Badgley

1893-1973, M.D. 1919

Orthopedic surgeon and professor of surgery, he is best known for his work with crippled children, especially congenital dislocation of the hip and non-union of infected fractures.

Albert Moore Barrett

1871-1936

Psychiatrist and neuropathologist, professor and chair of Psychiatry, he improved the care of the mentally ill in Michigan.

William Lemuel Benedict

1885-1969, M.D. 1912

Professor of ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, and head of ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic, he contributed significantly to the development of postgraduate teaching worldwide.

Detlev W. Bronk

1897-1975, Ph.D. 1925

Physiologist and president of Johns Hopkins University, founding president of Rockefeller University, he also served as president of the National Academy of the Sciences.

Hugh Cabot

1872-1945

Professor and chair of Surgery and dean of the Medical School from 1921-1930, he expanded the residency program in the new University Hospital of 1925.

Roy Bishop Canfield

1874-1932, M.D. 1899

Professor and chair of Otolaryngology, he pioneered the use of local anesthesia, helped advance surgical techniques, and established a residency program for ear, nose and throat conditions.

Charles Gardner Child III

1908-1991

Professor and chair of Surgery, his work focused on surgery of the abdominal organs, especially the liver and pancreas.

Frederick Amasa Coller

1887-1964

Professor and chair of Surgery, he was recognized as an authority in the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases and developed a replacement for water and electrolyte loss in surgical patients that is used worldwide.

Jerome W. Conn

1907-1994, M.D. 1932

Endocrinologist and professor of internal medicine, he identified primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome) and was an inspiring teacher and noted clinician.

David Murray Cowie

1872-1940, M.D. 1896

U-M’s first professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases, he was an ardent promoter of iodized salt to prevent goiter.

Elizabeth Caroline Crosby

1888-1983

Professor of anatomy, she was a noted investigator and teacher of neuroanatomy and taught its clinical application on patient rounds with neurosurgeon Edgar Kahn.

Arthur Robertson Cushny

1866-1926

Professor of pharmacology, he later established the pharmacology department at the University College in London

Russell N. DeJong

1907-1990, M.D. 1932

Professor and chair of Neurology and founding editor of Neurology, he performed meticulous research on migraine and other disorders and diseases and wrote a classic textbook on neurological examination.

Lydia Adams DeWitt

1859-1928, M.D. 1898

A pathologist and research scientist known for her contributions to the anatomy of the pancreas and heart and for pioneering work in the chemotherapy of tuberculosis, she founded the Woman’s Research Club at U-M.

Reed O. Dingman

1906-1985, M.D. 1936

Plastic surgeon and professor of surgery, he established and served as the first head of the Section of Plastic Surgery. Several surgical devices bear his name.

George Dock

1860-1951

Professor of internal medicine, he introduced a program of clinical instruction at Michigan that became a model for medical schools around the country.

Hubert Arthur Eaton

1916-1991, M.D. 1942

Medical and civil rights activist, physician and surgeon, he is best known for his work on behalf of racial integration of hospitals.

Charles Wallis Edmunds

1873-1941, M.D. 1901

Professor of pharmacology and director of the Pharmacology Laboratory, he is best known for his digitalis assays and his leadership in the standardization of drugs.

Henry Fitzbutler

1842-1901, M.D. 1872

The first African-American medical graduate of the University of Michigan, he went on to found and serve as dean of the Louisville National Medical College in Kentucky.

Corydon Ford

1813-1894

Surgeon and professor of anatomy, his knowledge and reputation as a great lecturer drew large numbers of students; he was elected dean of the early medical faculty many times.

F. Bruce Fralick

1903-1983, M.D. 1927

Professor and chair of Ophthalmology, an outstanding surgeon and teacher, he developed subspecialty areas in genetics, neuro-ophthalmology, and ophthalmic pathology.

Thomas Francis Jr.

1900-1969

Professor of epidemiology best known for his work with poliovirus and influenza vaccines and prospective community studies, he directed the classic double-blind study that proved the Salk polio vaccine safe and effective.

A. James French

1912-1985

Professor and chair of Pathology and an able administrator, he performed research on the effects of sulfonamide drugs on the heart, liver, kidney, and tumors of the lungs and salivary glands.

George Edward Frothingham

1836-1900, M.D. 1864

Professor of materia medica, ophthalmic and aural surgery, and clinical ophthalmology, he was the first chair of Ophthalmology and developed the department’s course of lectures.

Albert Carl Furstenburg

1890-1969, M.D. 1915

Professor and chair of Otolaryngology, he contributed to the understanding of the fascial planes of the neck and the neurology of the ears, nose and larynx. As dean of the Medical School, he promoted high standards for education, research, and clinical service and oversaw expansion of the medical campus.

William C. Grabb

1929-1982, M.D. 1953

Plastic surgeon and professor of surgery, he directed the Section of Plastic Surgery, performed research on cleft lip and palate, and authored four textbooks, including a concise guide to clinical practice in plastic surgery.

Moses Gunn

1822-1887

Professor of anatomy and surgery, dean, and a highly skilled teacher and surgeon, he was one of the first five professors to be appointed to the Medical School.

Cameron Haight

1901-1970

Professor of surgery and head of the Section of Thoracic Surgery, he was widely recognized as the first American surgeon to remove an entire lung successfully.

Alice Hamilton

1869-1970, M.D. 1893

Pathologist, bacteriologist, industrial hygienist, assistant professor of industrial medicine at Harvard, and special investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, she is recognized as the founder of the field of occupational medicine; her work led to the enactment of worker’s compensation laws.

Preston M. "Pop" Hickey

1865-1930

Professor and chair of Roentgenology, he promoted the importance of strong clinical diagnostic skills, technical mastery and knowledge of physics. He was the founding editor of the American Quarterly of Roentgenology.

Fred Jenner "Ted" Hodges II

1895-1977

Professor and chair of Radiology, his early work focused on radiologic heart measurements in normal and diseased states, and he envisioned a treatment for cancer with radioactive material produced by a cyclotron.

John Floyd Holt

1915-1991

Professor of radiology and first director of Pediatric Radiology, he published papers on physiologic bowing of the legs in children, neurofibromatosis and, with Fred J. Hodges and Isadore Lampe, a popular book on radiology for medical students.

Gotthelf Carl Huber

1865-1934

Professor and chair of Anatomy, director of the Anatomical Laboratories, and dean of the U-M Graduate School, he was primarily interested in embryology and histology.

Charles Brenton Huggins

1901-1997

Professor of surgery at the University of Chicago, he completed his residency under Frederick Coller and trained in urology under Reed Nesbit, winning the 1966 Nobel Prize for discoveries concerning the hormonal treatment of prostate cancer.

Edgar A. Kahn

1900-1985, M.D. 1925

Neurosurgeon and professor of surgery, he developed, with Max Peet, techniques to treat tumors, trauma and infection, and contributed much to standardizing cordotomy for intractable pain.

Reuben Leon Kahn

1887-1979

Professor of serology and chief of the Serology Laboratory, he developed the first practical and rapid precipitation test for syphilis; the Kahn test replaced the Wasserman test in 1941.

Isadore Lampe

1906-1982, Ph.D. 1938

Professor of radiology and director of the Radiation Therapy Division, he initiated a tumor coding system that became a national model, and he proved radiation therapy successful in curing certain types of cancer. Principles developed by him are still basic to the field.

Jack Lapides

1914-1995, M.D. 1941

Urologist and professor of surgery, his classification of neurogenic bladders is in widespread use. His greatest contribution was the development of clean, intermittent self-catheterization.

William J. Mayo

1861-1939, M.D. 1883

Surgeon; with his brother and father, he developed the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, into one of the foremost centers for patient care, training and research.

Norman Fritz Miller

1894-1990, M.D. 1920

Professor and chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a superior surgeon, he advanced the surgical treatment of benign and malignant diseases. With Isadore Lampe, he established a gynecologic tumor registry and one of the first tumor conferences in the country.

Charles B.G. deNancrede

1847-1921

Professor and chair of Surgery and director of the surgical clinics for nearly 30 years, he stressed the importance of antiseptic and aseptic surgery.

James Van Gundia Neel

1915-2000

Professor and chair of Human Genetics, he did groundbreaking work that identified the genetic basis for sickle cell anemia and studied atomic bomb radiation effects. Many of the principles he introduced are basic to our understanding of genetics today.

Reed M. Nesbit

1898-1979

Urologist and professor of surgery, he is best known for his work on prostatic obstruction and for designing the Nesbit resectoscope, a one-handed endoscope for use in transurethral prostatectomy.

Louis Harry Newburgh

1883-1956

Professor of clinical investigation in Internal Medicine, he focused mainly on nutrition and metabolism with specific reference to obesity, diabetes mellitus, nephritis and body water and electrolytes.

Frederick G. Novy

1864-1957, M.D. 1891

Professor of bacteriology for over 40 years, he studied the chemistry of bacteria, the cultivation of trypanosomes and spirochetes, immunization, and microbic respiration. A jar for the culture of anaerobes bears his name, as do several microorganisms.

Alonzo B. Palmer

1815-1887

Professor of internal medicine and dean of the Medical School, he lobbied successfully for a nine-month, three-year curriculum and adding laboratory courses in physiology, hygiene and pathology.

Walter R. Parker

1866-1955

Professor and chair of Ophthalmology, he established a three-year residency program in ophthalmology and contributed significantly as teacher, researcher and surgeon.

Bradley Merrill Patten

1889-1971

Professor and chair of Anatomy, he promoted the growth of gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, neuroanatomy and embryology, and is best known for his classic textbook, The Early Embryology of the Chick.

Max Minor Peet

1885-1949, M.D. 1910

Professor of surgery, he is best known for his research and extensive experience in treating malignant hypertension with lumbar sympathectomy as it related to the adrenal gland.

Reuben Peterson

1862-1942

Bates Professor of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Women and Children and chair of his department, he started the residency program that developed into a four-year program and improved facilities for maternity care and advanced gynecologic surgery.

Zina Pitcher

1797-1872

Physician, surgeon, naturalist, public official; as a U-M regent, he orchestrated the approval of a medical school and helped frame its first policies and name its first faculty. As mayor of Detroit, he lobbied successfully for free public schools.

William D. Robinson

1911-1988, M.D. 1934

Professor of internal medicine and director of the Rackham Arthritis Research Unit, he inspired the development of rheumatology as a subspecialty and contributed to its growth nationally.

Abram Sager

1810-1877

Professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children and first dean of the Medical School, he endorsed admission of women to the School in 1870. A botanist and zoologist, he gave his impressive collections to the University.

Maurice Harrison Seevers

1901-1977

Professor and chair of Pharmacology, he promoted growth of the faculty and programs in clinical pharmacology, performed research on narcotic analgesics and general anesthetic agents, and was long associated with Japanese pharmacologists.

Henry Sewall

1855-1936

Professor of physiology, he performed research on equilibrium, muscle contraction, respiration and color vision, and is best known for immunizing animals against snake venom, demonstrating the principle of antitoxin production.

George Linius Streeter

1873-1948

Professor and chair of Anatomy, director of the Anatomical Laboratory, and noted embryologist; under him, a graduate program in research was established.

Cyrus Cressey Sturgis

1891-1966

Professor and chair of Internal Medicine and director of the Simpson Memorial Institute for Medical Research, he encouraged scientific research and strengthened teaching at all levels.

Homer Stryker

1894-1980, M.D. 1925

Orthopedic surgeon and inventor in Kalamazoo, he founded the Stryker Corporation, a medical equipment manufacturing firm, his best known invention being the Stryker Frame which allowed staff to turn a patient easily.

Robert B. Sweet

1917-1980

Surgeon and professor and chair of Anesthesiology, he started the Department’s resident training program. Under his leadership, the Department performed most of the research work on the drug ketamine.

Harry A. Towsley

1905-1993, M.D. 1931

Professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases and of postgraduate medicine, he served as historian for the 298th General Hospital, the U-M World War II unit. The Center for Continuing Medical Education and a visiting professorship are named after him.

Bertha Van Hoosen

1863-1952, M.D. 1888

Associated with Cook County Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital in Chicago, and Loyola University, she was known as the dean of women surgeons in America, founding and serving as first president of the American Medical Women’s Association.

James G. Van Zwaluwenburg

1874-1922, M.D. 1908

Professor and chair of Roentgenology, he advanced fluoroscopy and stereography and improved the interpretation of roentgenograms of the lungs, heart and abdominal organs.

Victor Clarence Vaughan

1851-1929, Ph.D 1876, M.D. 1878

Professor of hygiene and physiological chemistry and dean of the Medical School for 30 years, he built a scientific faculty and implemented the four-year curriculum in addition to performing research on bacterial toxins, tuberculosis and typhoid fever.

Raymond W. Waggoner

1901-2000, M.D. 1924

Professor and chair of Psychiatry and director of the Neuropsychiatric Institute, he established residency programs in adolescent and child psychiatry and significantly improved mental health services in Michigan.

Aldred Scott Warthin

1866-1931, M.D. 1891, Ph.D. 1893

Professor of pathology and director of the Pathological Laboratory, he inaugurated the demonstration course on physical diagnosis and the course in microscopic pathology.

John Elmer Weeks

1853-1949, M.D. 1881

Physician and ophthalmologist, he and Robert Koch discovered, separately, the causative organism of pinkeye and Egyptian ophthalmia, now known as the Koch-Weeks bacillus.

Carl Vernon Weller

1887-1956, M.D. 1913

Professor and chair of Pathology, he expanded research and consultation services and established weekly conferences in which all facets of a case were discussed.

Walter M. Whitehouse

1916-1985, M.D. 1941

Professor and chair of Radiology, he promoted growth in the subspecialties and kept pace with advances in nuclear medicine and imaging techniques.

Udo Julius Wile

1882-1964

Professor and chair of Dermatology, he developed its resident training program and performed research on many aspects of syphilis and dermatology.

J. Robert Willson

1912-1993, M.D. 1937

Professor and chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Temple University and at U-M, he was the primary author of a popular textbook and promoted the idea of primary care for women.

Frank Norman Wilson

1890-1952, M.D. 1913

Cardiologist and professor of internal medicine, he transformed electrocardiography into a science and advanced the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

James Leroy Wilson

1898-1978

Professor and chair of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, he focused his research on children with poliomyelitis and was an expert in respiratory problems.