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Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers (UPT 50 R252

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Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers (UPT 50 R252 A Guide to the I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers 1912-1972 189.0 Cubic feet UPT 50 R252 Prepared by Gilda S. Mann, Susan Stefanski, J.M. Duffin, and Theresa R. Snyder January 1995 The University Archives and Records Center 3401 Market Street, Suite 210 Philadelphia, PA 19104-3358 215.898.7024 Fax: 215.573.2036 www.archives.upenn.edu Mark Frazier Lloyd, Director I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers UPT 50 R252 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROVENANCE...............................................................................................................................1 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE................................................................................................................1 SCOPE AND CONTENT...............................................................................................................6 CONTROLLED ACCESS HEADINGS.........................................................................................8 INVENTORY................................................................................................................................ 11 PERSONAL.............................................................................................................................11 PROFESSIONAL.................................................................................................................... 21 I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers UPT 50 R252 Guide to the I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers 1912-1972 UPT 50 R252 189.0 Cubic feet Prepared by Gilda S. Mann, Susan Stefanski, J.M. Duffin, and Theresa R. Snyder January 1995 Access is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center. PROVENANCE Transferred from VanPelt-Dietrich Library, 1985. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Isidor Schwaner Ravdin was born in Evansville, Indiana on October 10th 1894. He remained in Indiana to receive his high school and college education, earning his Bachelors of Science Degree from Indiana University in 1916. It was only a last minute decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania Medical School that brought Ravdin to the institution where he would spend the rest of his life. In 1918 Ravdin received his medical degree, becoming the fourth generation of Ravdin family physicians. At the University, Ravdin initially served as a surgical chief resident, and in turn, as an Instructor and an Associate in Surgery. In 1921 he married Elizabeth Glenn, a colleague and a classmate at the Medical School. He spent 1927 studying at the University of Edinburgh. He began his academic ascent when he was appointed to the new chair of surgical research in 1928 at the University of Pennsylvania. He held the position of George L. Harrison Professor of Surgery in the Harrison Department of Surgery from 1935 to 1944, and in 1945 he was appointed the Surgeon in Chief - 1 - I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers UPT 50 R252 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery. During these same years, Ravdin directed the Harrison Department of Surgical Research, where he participated in, and oversaw, a tremendous amount of groundbreaking surgical research. Ravdin's research interests were varied. His early interests focused on the systematic study of the gall bladder and resulted in the publication of fifteen papers. In the 1930's Ravdin devoted time to the study of the liver and to the problem of hypoproteinemia in the surgical patient. Immediately before the war, he initiated studies on shock. In studying shock, Ravdin was particularly interested in the use of blood substitutes to treat war casualties. As a result, he worked with the American Red Cross and the National Research Council, and in 1942, he was called on by the government to inspect and treat the casualties of the Pearl Harbor attack. It was there that albumin, a new substance, was used for the first time to treat burn and shock patients. Throughout his career, Ravdin's research often led to considerations and problems presented by the consequences of war, but after World War II his major research focus shifted to the study of cancer. In addition to research, teaching and clinical duties, Ravdin was a much relied upon University administrator. During his Presidency, Gaylord Harnwell often relied upon Ravdin as second in command. His administrative touch spanned the highest offices of the University to the most minute personnel problems. He was called on to serve on numerous committees that dealt with the problems facing the administration of large university medical centers. To this end, Ravdin was appointed acting Vice President in charge of Medical Affairs from October 1951 until November 1952. Later, in 1959, he was appointed to this post permanently and was responsible for all aspects of medicine at the University. This included dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing and all other allied medical fields. He was instrumental in reorganizing the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Penn and was continually called upon for advice regarding applicants for top university medical posts, both at the University and elsewhere. Not only did Ravdin make it his mission to build the University of Pennsylvania into one of the finest medical centers, but his ideas and professional consultation helped shape medical centers across the country. He was particularly active with other area hospitals such as Graduate Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Mercy Douglass Hospital, Jefferson Hospital and Temple. In spite of the demands placed upon him as University administrator, Ravdin continued to arrive at the operating room every morning at 7:15. Always trying to expand the University, especially in its capacity to serve patients, Ravdin spearheaded numerous fund raising campaigns. Three of his major accomplishments at HUP include a two floor addition to the Dulles wing in 1940, a two and one-half floor addition to the Gates Pavilion in 1950, and the Ravdin Institute. Representing the overwhelming support and esteem that his colleagues and friends felt for him, the Ravdin Institute is perhaps his greatest - 2 - I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers UPT 50 R252 legacy to the University. Support for the Institute was generated spontaneously by a group of his friends and was later taken up by the University, finding it more appropriate to honor this surgeon at the peak of his career rather than later. As a medical center it embodied Ravdin's goal that the University remain at the cutting edge of modern, medical technology. At a cost of six million dollars, the Ravdin Institute housed 374 beds for in-patients, four operating rooms, adjacent pathology labs and research labs with the finest equipment. In addition to the physical facility itself, the Ravdin Institute established funds for numerous research grants in the areas of cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, pulmonary problems, clinical biochemistry, physiology and nutritional problems as they related to the surgical patient. The Ravdin Institute admitted its first patients in March of 1962. While devoted professionally to the University, Dr. Ravdin was an active member of the United States Military for forty years. He was initially called to active duty with the Indiana National Guard in 1916 during the Pershing Expedition into Mexico. Much like his academic career, his military career carried him to great heights. One such example was his service with the 20th General Hospital in Assam, India. In May of 1942 Ravdin was called to active service as the Executive Officer and Chief of the Surgical Service of the 20th General Hospital, and by March of 1945, he was the Commanding Officer. The mission of the 20th General Hospital, a hospital unit affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, was the provision of medical care for the troops of the Services of Supply. These men were engaged in constructing a road from Ledo, Assam into North Burma to restore land communications with China. Most of the staff of this overseas hospital came from the University. One third of the nurses, for example, enjoyed an affiliation with the University. The unit spent their first seven and a half months at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana before making the trip to Assam, India. Orders to move overseas came in January of 1943. What awaited Ravdin in India is best described in his own words. In one of his own reports dated 1943-1945 Ravdin said "The chota monsoon had begun the day before our arrival and where all before had been dust, now was mud. It was not possible to drive vehicles through the area. There were no roads, nor fires, no provision for messes, no satisfactory quarters for women. Real work lay ahead." Ravdin's work, and that of his unit, called for the clearing of a jungle and building a hospital. Their work was extraordinary enough to earn the 20th General Hospital the reputation as one of the best hospitals in the China-India-Burma theater. The hospital ultimately occupied 289 buildings and 162 tents, and in the twenty-eight months of operation during Ravdin's command, the hospital admitted close to 50,000 patients. The ratio of - 3 - I.S. (Isadore Schwaner) Ravdin Papers UPT 50 R252 American to Chinese patients was two to one. Two thirds of all admissions went to the medical service and the remainder went to the surgical service. Among some of the medical problems faced by Ravdin and his staff were, a malaria epidemic, cutaneous diphtheria, hypohydrosis, and the maintenance of a "closed" psychiatric ward without any effective locks. In commanding the 20th General
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