Oral Histories

Interview of William P. Longmire

UCLA professor of surgery.
Subtitle:
Creating the Department of Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine
Topic:
UCLA and University of California History
Science, Medicine, and Technology
UCLA Faculty
Biographical Note:
UCLA professor of surgery.
Interviewer:
Galm, Bernard
Interviewee:
Longmire, William P.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Abstract:
in Germany; return in 1950 to first class of students at UCLA; Fritz Linder; drafted into the United States Army; discussion with Blalock in London; meetings with air force leaders in Paris; moves to Wiesbaden for military duty; work as air force surgical consultant; attendance at Middle East Medical Symposium in Beirut; trips in Middle East; course at University of Edinburgh; return to United States; advocates a year of governmental medical service for young doctors; returns to UCLA; local medical community relations with UCLA; School of Medicine's budgetary considerations; issue of faculty appointments; university use of hospital income; the Blalock Foundation; re-muneration of faculty for private patient care; development of residency program at UCLA; the surgical training program; appointment of Sherman M. Mellinkoff as dean of the medical school; relationship between Mellinkoff and Warren; the medical school during the sixties; women in medicine; women in the UCLA surgical residency program; residency program hospital rotations; serves as chairman of search committee for chief of surgery; construction of UCLA medical school and hospital buildings; Hazel Wilson contributes money for a pavilion; retires as chairman of surgery; membership in professional associations; controversy over creation of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract; fear that the American Society of Abdominal Surgery might take over the American College of Surgeons; president of Society of Surgical Chairmen; regent of the American College of Surgeons; president of American College of Surgeons; president of American Surgical Association; quality control in surgery; Royal College of Surgeons; American Board of Surgery; the American Medical Association's Council on Medical Education and the Flexner Report; development of the National Institutes of Health; participation in scientific advisory groups; publication of papers and books; influence of University of Rochester graduates on UCLA School of Medicine; appointment of Stern as chief of neurosurgery; trip to the Far East as consultant to the air force; Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands; trip to Japan; Moscow visit; Boris Petrov; trip to People's Republic of China; health care in China under the communists; use of acupuncture; special honors received; celebration upon retirement; Longmire visiting professorship and lectureship; Longmire Surgery Medal; Distinguished Physician for the Veterans Administration; relationship with patients.