Background
Roe, Benson Bertheau was born on July 7, 1918 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Son of Hall and Helene Louise (Bertheau) Roe.
(Benson Roe relates his emergence from a mundane, comforta...)
Benson Roe relates his emergence from a mundane, comfortable, middle-class background and education into an exciting and unexpected career in the hallowed halls of medicine and surgery. A career highlighted by the development of open-heart surgery spans the Great Depression, World War II, the earliest phases of modern intensive surgery, and the explosive growth of the new specialty. In a setting devoid of textbooks, professional mentors and previous experience, Roe forged ahead in his quest to learn new ways of saving lives during the postwar era, when more people in America were dying of heart disease than ever before. Trained as a thoracic surgeon, Benson Roe took on the burgeoning need for cardiac surgery when procedures were in their infancy. Innovative and problem-solving talents provided the basis for the author's many technical contributions and research projects. Academic and professional roles in national surgical politics allowed Dr. Roe the freedom to tackle controversial issues, earning him the reputation of a "boat rocker." His innovative and organizational skills helped shape the character and integrity of the new specialty of cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Benson Roe was one of an adventurous, risk-taking cadre of surgeons who eschewed safe elitism for dedication.
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Roe, Benson Bertheau was born on July 7, 1918 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Son of Hall and Helene Louise (Bertheau) Roe.
AB, University of California, Berkeley, 1939; Doctor of Medicine cum laude, Harvard University, 1943.
Intern, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 1943-1944;
resident, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 1946-1950;
national research fellow department physiology, Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1947;
instructor surgery, Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1950;
Moseley Traveling fellow, Harvard. U. at U. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1951;
assistant clinical professor surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 1951-1958;
chief cardiothoracic surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 1958-1976;
professor surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 1966-1989;
emeritus professor, University of California, San Francisco, since 1989;
private practice medicine specializing in cardiothoracic surgery, San Francisco, 1952-1985. Senior scientist Cardiovascular Research Institute, 1956-1989.
Consultant thoracic surgery Veterans Administration Hospital., San Francisco General Hospital, Letterman Army Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, Blue Shield of California, Baxter laboratories, Ethicon, Inc. Board directors Control Laser Corporation. Visiting professor U. Utah, U. Kentucky, U. Gdansk, Poland, National Heart Hospital, London, U. Ibadan, Nigeria, Sanger Clinic, Charlotte, Rush-Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs.
(Benson Roe relates his emergence from a mundane, comforta...)
Board directors United Bay Area Crusade, 1958-1970, executive committee, 1964-1965. Board directors chairman executive committee San Francisco chapter American Cancer Society, 1955-1957. Board directors San Francisco Heart Association, 1964-1972, president, 1964-1965, chairman research committee, 1966-1971.
Committee member American Heart Association, 1967-1970. President Miranda Lux Foundation, 1982-1994. Trustee Avery-Fuller-Welch Foundation.
Board directors International Bioethics Institute, Point Reyes Bird Observatory With Medical Corps, United States Naval Reserve, 1944-1946. Fellow American College Cardiology, American College of Surgeons (chairman advisory council thoracic surgery, program chairman thoracic surgery, cardiovascular committee), Polish Surgical Association (honorary). Member American Association Thoracic Surgery (chairman membership committee 1974-1975), American Medical Association (residency review committee for thoracic surgery), American Surgical Association, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, California Academy Medicine (president 1974), California Medical Association, Society University Surgeons, Society Thoracic Surgeons (president 1972, chairman standards and ethics committee), Society Vascular Surgery (vice president).
Clubs: Cruising of Am, Pacific Union, St. Francis Yacht, California Tennis.
Married Jane Faulkner St. John, January 20, 1945. Children: David B., Virginia St. John.