Penn Surgery Society Newsletters
![Historical painting of surgical theater](/-/media/images/miscellaneous/historical photos and famous figures/history_surgical_theather.ashx?h=297&w=450&la=en)
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has a rich and notable history. Founded in 1765, it is the oldest medical school in the United States. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) opened in 1874 and is the nation's first hospital to be owned and operated by a university. In 1877, a $50,000 gift from the widow of Philadelphia surgeon, John Rhea Barton, funded the oldest of endowed surgical chairs in the United States. This allowed the Surgery Department's 5th chairman, D. Hayes Agnew, to become the first John Rhea Barton Professor. Dr. Agnew, arguably the most respected surgeon in the country, was most famous as the surgeon taking care of President Garfield when he was shot by an assassin. Now he is most well-known for his portrayal in the Agnew Clinic, an iconic 1889 portrait by Thomas Eakins that has become the school's hallmark.
"Dr. Agnew, arguably the most respected surgeon in the country, was most famous as the surgeon taking care of President Garfield when he was shot by an assassin."
Dr. Ronald DeMatteo is the 15th surgeon to have the privilege of serving as the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery. Several chairmen have left their mark on American surgical history—two of these professors are particularly noteworthy, I.S. Ravdin MD and Jonathan Rhoads MD. Dr. Ravdin, a dominant figure in US academic surgery should be especially remembered for bringing to HUP the modern surgical residency program. Many of his residents became leaders in American surgery. Dr. Rhoads was instrumental with his trainees Stanley Dudrick in the development of total parenteral nutrition, which continues to save the lives of countless individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to eat. Remarkably 11 of Dr. Rhoads’ residents became chairman of university departments of surgery across the US. Later Clyde Barker served for 18 years as Barton professor, the longest tenure of any surgical chairman. So far 12 of his trainees have become chairman of departments at other universities.
Penn Chairs of Surgery 1765 - present
![William Shippen](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/shippen_william.ashx?la=en)
William Shippen Jr.
1776-1805
![](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/physick_philip.ashx?la=en)
Philip Syng Physick
1805-1818
![William Gibson](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/gibson_william.ashx?la=en)
William Gibson
1819-1855
![Henry Hollingsworth Smith](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/smith_henry_hollingsworth.ashx?la=en)
Henry Hollingsworth Smith
1855-1871
![D. Hayes Agnew](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/agnew_hayes_d.ashx?la=en)
D. Hayes Agnew
1871-1889
![John Ashhurst](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/ashhurst_john.ashx?la=en)
John Ashurst, Jr.
1889-1900
![Charles Frazier](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/frazier_charles.ashx?la=en)
Charles H. Frazier
1922-1936
![Eldridge Eliason](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/eliason_eldridge.ashx?la=en)
Eldridge L. Eliason
1936-1945
![IS Ravdin](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/ravdin_is.ashx?la=en)
I. S. Ravdin
1945-1960
![Jonathan Rhoads](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/rhoads_jonathan.ashx?la=en)
Jonathan E. Rhoads
1960-1972
![William T. Fitts](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/fitts_william.ashx?la=en)
William T. Fitts
1972-1978
![Leonard Miller](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/miller_leonard.ashx?la=en)
Leonard D. Miller
1978-1983
![Clyde Barker](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/barker_clyde.ashx?la=en)
Clyde F. Barker
1983-2001
![Larry Kaiser](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/kaiser_larry.ashx?la=en)
Larry R. Kaiser
2001-2009
![Jeffrey Drebin](/-/media/academic departments/surgery/dos_history/chairs/drebin_jeffrey.ashx?la=en)
Jeffery A. Drebin
2009-2017
The Penn Surgery Society Newsletter is published quarterly for its members, colleagues and friends of the Department of Surgery.
For submissions, inquiries or comments, please contact clyde.barker@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.