In the tradition of excellence that Dr. Gibbon maintained, the Gibbon Surgical Society was created at Thomas Jefferson University to provide medical students with a variety of surgical experiences and educational opportunities in the field of surgery. John H. Gibbon Jr., MD, Jefferson professor and chairman of surgery (1956-1967), is renowned in medical history as the inventor of the heart-lung machine, which made possible the world’s first successful open-heart operation at Jefferson in 1953. Dr. Gibbon focused international attention on Jefferson by ushering in a new era of cardiac surgery.
Student members of the Gibbon Surgical Society prepare a monthly "historical vignette" focusing on Jeffersonians who have made a major impact in the field of surgery. These vignettes are usually presented during a Thursday morning conference in the Department of Surgery. Some vignettes have also been published in The American Surgeon..
Submissions from 2022
Dr. Michael E. DeBakey (1908-2008) Trailblazer in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shale J. Mack, MS2
Submissions from 2021
The Office of the Surgeon General and the Two Surgeons who Have Held the Role, Marisa A. Joel, BA
Submissions from 2020
John Alexander, MD (1891-1954): A leader in thoracic and tuberculosis surgery, Christopher A. Gardner
Nina Braunwald, MD (1928-1992), Emily J. Papai, MS4
Submissions from 2018
Charles Heber McBurney (1845-1913), Su Mae Ang
The Legend of George J. Willauer MD (1896-1977), Harold Salmons and Myles Dworkin
César Roux (1857-1934): Surgeon, Innovator, Educator, Elwin Tham and Su Mae Ang
Submissions from 2017
Dr. Robert Reynolds Macintosh (1897-1989) Forefather of Anesthesiology, Advocate for Patient Safety, Haig Minassian, BA
Robert Reynolds Macintosh, M.D. (1897-1989): Forefather of Anesthesiology, Advocate for Patient Safety., Haig Minassian, Scott W. Cowan, and Charles J. Yeo
William Arbuthnot Lane (1856-1943): Surgical Innovator and His Theory of Autointoxication., Mackenzie Morris, Thea Price, Scott W. Cowan, Charles J. Yeo, and Benjamin Phillips
Jonathan Letterman, MD: The Surgeon-Soldier a his Reforms of Battlefield Medicine, Hunter D.D. Witmer, MSIII
Submissions from 2016
James Mann, M.D. (1759-1832): Military Surgeon for the "Second War of Independence"., Eliza C. Anderson, MD; Scott W. Cowan, MD; and Charles J. Yeo, MD
A Brief Overview of the Life and Work of Lyon Henry Appleby, M.D. (1895-1970)., Jon Harrison, Michael J. Pucci, Scott W. Cowan, and Charles Yeo
Dr. Algernon B. Jackson (1878-1942) A Pioneer for Community and Minority Advocacy, Megan Elizabeth Lundy, MS4 and Melissa Lazar, MD
Remembering Dr. Henry W. Gray (1827-1861) and His Timeless Contribution to Modern Medical Education., Niti Shahi, Abigail L. Brooks, Charles J. Yeo, Scott W. Cowan, and Gerald A. Isenberg
Malcolm C. Grow, MD: Soldier, Surgeon, Airman, 2LT Tyler Walker, Class of 2018
Emil Zuckerkandl, M.D. (1849-1910): Bridging Anatomic Study and the Operating Room Table., Leah Winer, MD; Pankhuri Jha; Scott W. Cowan, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott D. Goldstein, MD
Submissions from 2015
Evan O'Neill Kane, MD (1861-1932): Self-surgeon and catalyst for American Surgery, Peter Altshuler, MS3
Dr. James Mann: Military Surgeon for the 'second war of independence', Eliza Anderson, MD
Alton Ochsner, MD (1896-1981): surgical pioneer and legacy linking smoking and disease., Christina L. Costantino, MD; Jordan M. Winter, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
A Brief Overview of the Life and Work of Lyon Henry Appleby, MD (1895-1970), Jon Harrison, MS IV
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: years ahead of her time., Dre M. Irizarry, BS; Nicole Salomone, AS; Karen A. Chojnacki, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; Scott W. Cowan, MD; and Linda J. Bogar, MD
Vivien Thomas: master craftsman, gifted teacher, and unsung hero., Alisha Joyner, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
Francis Daniels Moore: one of the brightest minds in the surgical field., Sara L. Low, BS; Charles J. Yeo, MD; Scott W. Cowan, MD; and Ashesh P. Shah, MD
Norman Bethune MD: A Surgeon to the Underprivileged (1890-1939), Amit Mishra, MSIV
Frederic E. Mohs, M.D. (1910-2002): physician and innovator., Nicholas A. Ross, B.A.; Nazanin Saedi, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
John H. Brinton, MD Fifth Co-Chair of the Department of Surgery, Claire M. Sokas, MSIII
Submissions from 2014
Robert Edward Gross (1905-1988): ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus and the birth of a specialty., Alexander V. Chalphin, BS; Charles J. Yeo, MD; Scott W. Cowan, MD; and Stacey Milan, MD
Francis F. Maury, M.D. (1840 to 1879): an often forgotten pioneer in early American surgery., Guillaume S. Chevrollier, B.S.; Scott W. Cowan, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and John C. Kairys, MD
Mary H. Gibbon: teamwork of the heart., Alexandra Columbus, BA; Scott W. Cowan, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Stacey A. Milan, MD
Dr. Seishu Hanaoka (1760-1835): surgeon, pharmacist, and anesthesiologist., Drew L. Kotler, B.A.; Hitoshi Hirose, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Roscoe Reid Graham (1890 to 1948): a Canadian pioneer in general surgery., Christine C. Piper, BA; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Ambroise Paré (1510 to 1590): a surgeon centuries ahead of his time., James T. Shen, B.S.; Michael Weinstein, MD; Alec C. Beekley, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Submissions from 2013
Samuel D. Gross, M.D. (1805-1884): an innovator, even in death., Peter R. Bucciarelli, B.S.; John C. Kairys, MD; Ernest L. Rosato, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
William Edwards Ladd, M.D. (1880-1967): the description of his bands., Pei-Wen Lim, MD; Niels D. Martin, MD; Barry A. Hicks, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Chevalier Jackson, M.D. (1865-1958): Il ne se repose jamais., Phi D Nguyen, B.A.; Scott W. Cowan, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Nathaniel R. Evans III, M.D.
Abdominal intercostal hernia: a rare complication after blunt trauma., Phi D Nguyen, B.A.; Michael J. Pucci, MD; Jay S. Jenoff, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
John Chalmers DaCosta (1863-1933): restoration of the old operating table., Madalyn G. Peters, MD; Adam C. Berger, MD; Gordon Schwartz, MD, MBA, FACS; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Edoardo Bassini (1844-1924): father of modern-day hernia surgery., Wei Phin Tan, B.S.; Harish Lavu, MD; Ernest L. Rosato, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Submissions from 2012
Baron Guillaume Dupuytren: when brilliance combats professionalism., Sean M. Devitt, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
Christian Albert Theodor Billroth, M.D., founding father of abdominal surgery (1829-1894)., Zhi Ven Fong, B.S.; Harish Lavu, MD; Ernest L. Rosato, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Emil Theodor Kocher, M.D., and his Nobel Prize (1841-1917)., Zhi Ven Fong, B.S.; Ernest L. Rosato, MD; Harish Lavu, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
Theodor Billroth and his musical life., Patrick A. Hartendorp, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
John Y. Templeton III: Pioneer of modern cardiothoracic surgery., Jing Li, B.S.; Herbert E. Cohn, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Scott W. Cowan, MD
John Blair Deaver, M.D., and his marvelous retractor., Timothy E. Newhook, MD; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
Sir William Osler, M.D., C.M., Jonathan Sarik, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
James Marion Sims, M.D., LL.D., Jonathan Tavares, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
Submissions from 2011
Thomas Dent Mütter: the humble narrative of a surgeon, teacher, and curious collector., Jennifer A. Baker, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
John H. Gibbon, Jr., M.D.: surgical innovator, pioneer, and inspiration., Jordan P. Bloom, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; Herbert E. Cohn, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
Robert Milton Zollinger, M.D., teacher, surgeon, soldier, and farmer., Fiona M. Chory, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
The evolution of cauterization: from the hot iron to the Bovie., Michelle F. DeLeon, MS; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney Maxwell, IV, MD
The Gross clinic, the Agnew clinic, and the Listerian revolution., Caitlyn M. Johnson, B.S.; Charles J. Yeo, MD; and Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD
