IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

William P. Longmire, Jr., M.D.

Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery, Emeritus

 Los Angeles

 1913–2003

When William Longmire died of cancer on May 9, 2003, not only UCLA, but also the surgical world lost one of its most outstanding and highly respected colleagues.

Born in the rural town of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, he planned as a youth to become a doctor, influenced understandably by his “country doctor” father. After graduation from the University of Oklahoma in 1934, he was accepted to the only medical school to which he applied – Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

His subsequent surgical residency training under Dr. Alfred Blalock was interrupted when his father became ill. As a result he chose to return home and maintain his father’s practice for the next two years until his father recovered. Upon returning to Johns Hopkins he was granted a temporary appointment since no regular residency position was available. It was during this transition period that he was soon recognized as a rising star. Shortly thereafter he rejoined the surgical residency program, and was the primary assistant to Dr Alfred Blalock when the first successful blue baby operation was performed in 1944 – a ground breaking procedure that allowed infants with severe heart deformities to live a more normal life.

His outstanding performance as a resident warranted a general thoracic surgical appointment, but none was available at that time. Being eager to retain him in the department, Dr. Blalock appointed him in 1948 as an associate professor in charge of plastic surgery. Fortuitously in that same year a new medical school at UCLA was being opened and faculty recruitment was underway. At age 35 Longmire became the first chairman of surgery - a position in which he served with great distinction until 1976.

During these 28 years, he became increasingly recognized as a surgeon without equal, a superb teacher and an undisputed leader in surgery both nationally and internationally. In addition to building a preeminent department by recruiting the very finest talent for the various surgical specialties, he was also instrumental in helping develop cardiac surgery in Europe as a much sought after visiting professor. As a result of these exceptional efforts, his grateful recipients awarded him an honorary fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and England, as well as honorary degrees from the University of Lund, Sweden, Heidelberg University, Germany, and the University of Athens, Greece.

Although his contributions to surgical environments abroad were most commendable, it was on the home front both locally and nationally that his lasting imprint will remain. Despite a naturally soft-spoken manner, it was clearly understood by students, residents and faculty colleagues that only their very best effort was acceptable. This applied to patient care, teaching, research, and interpersonal relationships.

His unwavering personal discipline, integrity and humility made him an inspirational leader, and the result was a hardworking, productive yet congenial environment. Residents and junior colleagues thrived in this atmosphere and many have tried to emulate their mentor as they went on to become surgical chairmen at Johns Hopkins, UCLA, and Universities of Pittsburgh, Florida, Northwestern, Texas at Galveston, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Despite heavy clinical and administrative responsibilities, Longmire continued to be a major contributor to the surgical literature. His 350 published scientific articles as well as four books and multiple book chapters reflected a thriving level of academic activity and productive research so essential to a residency training program. Typical of his innovative mind and exceptional surgical skill was the ingenious use of an isolated segment of the patient’s own intestine to replace the excised, cancerous esophagus. A precise and demanding microvascular technique was developed to join the very small arteries and veins and provide the crucial blood supply essential to the success of the procedure.

His unique operative techniques to successfully treat complicated hepatobiliary disease identified him as a world authority in this area as well. In addition to his uncanny ability to devise strategies and techniques to treat such surgical challenges, he had the capacity to envision future treatment possibilities. This led to his active participation in the evolving field of transplantation. In his later years, in a reflective mode, he also authored Starting From Scratch – a fascinating book that describes the founding of the UCLA School of Medicine and the development of residency training at the affiliated Harbor General and Wadsworth Veterans hospitals.

Longmire’s enviable qualifications led to leadership roles in numerous major surgical organizations. After several years as a member of the prestigious American College of Surgeons Board of Regents, he became chairman. He served in a similar capacity on the American Board of Surgery, as well as president of numerous surgical organizations including the Society of Surgical Chairman, the American Surgical Association, the International Federation of Surgical Colleges and the Los Angeles Surgical Society.

This remarkable gentleman and dear friend was survived by his wife of 63 years, Jane Cornelius Longmire (who subsequently died in February, 2004); two daughters, Sarah Jane Longmire Cook and Gil Longmire; and three grandchildren, Matthew Abrams, and Quentinn and Galen Cook. He will be long remembered and greatly missed.

Donald G. Mulder