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July 2002
Volume 66 |
Number 7
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| Lewis H. Wright
Memorial Lecture: David J. Wilkinson, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.A.,
to Discuss 'Barts, Books, the Blues and Beyond: The Story
of Christopher Langton Hewer' |
Kathryn E. McGoldrick, M.D.,
Chair
Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lectureship Committee
Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology
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David J. Wilkinson, M.B.B.S.
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The Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lecture, sponsored annually by the
Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology, honors its namesake, an
indefatigable pioneer in American anesthesiology who was devoted
to enhancing the stature of anesthesiology as a clinical science
and medical specialty. A dynamic innovator, Dr. Wright was a founding
member of the Board of Trustees of the Wood Library-Museum and,
in later years, served as its President-Emeritus. He also was
a founder of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists
in 1955, working in close collaboration with Harold R. Griffith,
M.D.
This year's distinguished Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lecturer is
David J. Wilkinson, M.B.B.S., Consultant Anaesthetist at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, London, England. Dr. Wilkinson graduated from St. Bartholomew's
Hospital Medical School and, except for a brief hiatus at the
Princess Margaret and Royal Perth Hospitals in Perth, Australia,
he has spent most of his illustrious professional life at Bart's.
A fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, he served there
in an impressive array of positions, including medical director
of the Day Surgery Centre (1986-96) and chair of the Department
of Anaesthesia (1997-00). Additionally, Dr. Wilkinson is a member
of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Societies
of Anaesthesiologists and is Honorary Treasurer of the Association
of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland. Moreover, his exceptional
leadership skills were recognized by his election as President
of the Confederation of European National Societies of Anaesthesiologists
(2002-04).
An eminent medical historian, Dr. Wilkinson served from 1982-95
as Curator of the Charles King Collection of Historical Anaesthetic
Apparatus of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain
and Ireland, and he was Honorary Archivist of the Association
of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland from 1994-01. His
extensive bibliography includes scholarly manuscripts on such
important topics as the historical development of resuscitation
in the United Kingdom as well as the history of such pivotal advances
as tracheal intubation, inhaled anesthetic agents, anesthetic
equipment and trauma anesthesia.
Daunting as it is to attempt to encapsulate Dr. Wilkinson's numerous
accomplishments in a few brief words, it is even more difficult
to convey what a lucid, concise and authoritative speaker he is.
Dr. Wilkinson is able to glide eruditely and seemingly effortlessly
across several intellectual disciplines to provide crisp, new
insights for his audience. Combining a polished style with formidable
substance, Dr. Wilkinson formulates stimulating and deeply thoughtful
lectures.
For the 2002 lecture, Dr. Wilkinson will discuss "Barts,
Books, the Blues and Beyond: The Story of Christopher Langton
Hewer." This eclectically titled lecture will be delivered
at the ASA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2002, at 1 p.m.
in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.
Appointed to the staff of St. Bartholomew's at age 24 as "Administrator
of Anaesthetics," Christopher Langton Hewer (1896-1986) collaborated
with H.E.G. Boyle, M.D., with whom he co-authored the text Practical
Anaesthetics. Hewer was devoted to patient safety issues and purportedly
included among his patients such luminaries as Winston Churchill,
George Bernard Shaw and various members of the royal family. Largely
responsible for the introduction of trichloroethylene as an alternative
to flammable ether and potentially hazardous chloroform during
World War II, Christopher Langton Hewer is perhaps best known
as the author and later editor of Recent Advances in Anaesthesia
and Analgesia, the first edition of which appeared in 1932 and
the 14th in 1982, before he retired as he approached his 90th
year! Without doubt, the verve, infectious enthusiasm and compelling
vibrancy of Dr. Wilkinson will ensure that Christopher Langton
Hewer is not consigned to the periphery of anesthesia history.
The Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology is honored to have
the extraordinarily gifted Dr. David Wilkinson as the 2002 Lewis
H. Wright Memorial Lecturer. And we thank him for preserving,
illuminating and promulgating the human as well as the scientific
and technical heritage of our unique specialty.
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Kathryn E.
McGoldrick, M.D., is Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology,
New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. |
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