Stanley dudrick md biography

Stanley Dudrick: Medicine

Stanley J. Dudrick, former professor of surgery at Penn’s School of Medicine and a world-renowned medical pioneer, died January 18 at his home in Eaton, New Hampshire, after an illness. He was  

With Penn professor of surgery Jonathan Rhoads, Dr. Dudrick developed total parenteral nutrition (TPN) while he was serving as a surgical resident at HUP (Almanac April ). The technique, which allows people who cannot eat to be fed through a tube that bypasses their intestines, is credited with saving the lives of millions of acutely ill people who cannot feed themselves. 

Dr. Dudrick was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. He graduated cum laude with a BS in biology from Franklin and Marshall College. He earned his medical degree from Penn in After his residency at HUP, he joined Penn’s faculty. He was promoted to assistant professor in and associate professor in He served as chair of the department of surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, director of the Residency Training Program in General Surgery at Penn and was also on the surgical staff at the VA Hospital. In , he was promoted to professor but resigned shortly after, as he was recruited to Houston to serve as the first professor and founding chairperson of the department of surgery at the new University of Texas Medical School and chief of surgical services at Hermann Hospital/The University Hospital. 

His development of intravenous feeding earned him numerous awards, including: the American Medical Association’s Goldberger Award (Almanac January 8, ); the American Surgical Association’s highest honor, the Medallion for Scientific Achievement for Distinguished Service to Surgery; the Legends of Neonatology Award and the Nathan Smith, MD Distinguished Service Award from the New England Surgical Society; The American College of Surgeons named him a “Hero in Surgery,” one of only four people to receive the distinction; Medscape named him o

American surgeon (–)

Stanley John Dudrick (April 9, – January 18, ) was a surgeon who pioneered the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Early life and education

Dudrick was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, the grandson of Polish immigrants. His father was a coal miner and his mother a factory worker. At age seven he decided to become a doctor after seeing the care his mother received during a serious illness. He graduated Franklin and Marshall College in Graduating cum laude with a degree in biology with honors, he was awarded the Williamson Medal, the highest honor for student achievement. His first research project, done in college, was growing tomato plants and studying the effects of magnesium doses in the soil. In an interview, Dudrick stated:

The entire ethos of Franklin & Marshall College infected me and transformed me from a kid from the coal regions to an avid would-be scholar. They just imbued in me the importance of knowledge, that nothing was more precious than to gain knowledge and then to pass it on to others.

He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Career

As a surgical resident at the University of Pennsylvania, Dudrick realized that post-surgical malnutrition was a poorly recognized cause of death in patients who could not eat or absorb nutrients. From to , he worked with his mentor, Dr. Jonathon Rhoads, in developing TPN. After many hours in the lab at the swing balances, measuring the precise amount of each chemical required, he was able to keep beagles alive for months with TPN, by-passing their digestive systems. After showing the feasibility in lab animals, in he applied the technique to sick infants and then adults. Nutrition including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals were given directly into the circulatory system.^[8

It is with deep sadness that the Department of Surgery shares news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Stanley J. Dudrick, MD. Dr. Dudrick’s pioneering research in the efficacy of intravenous feeding has transformed modern surgery, and—since —continues to save the lives of millions of acutely ill children and adults.

He was the first president and founder of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), a clinical research and education organization that has grown to 6, since Dr. Dudrick established the association in

“Dr. Dudrick questioned conventional wisdom, and inspired an odyssey of discovery that fundamentally changed our understanding of the nutritional needs of critically ill patients. His story speaks to power of curiosity to change the world,” said Department of Surgery Chair, Dr. Nita Ahuja.

Dr. Dudrick’s distinguished academic career spanned more than 40 years, including his selection as chair of the Department of Surgery at Saint Mary’s Hospital, a Yale teaching hospital; and at Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health System. He also served as professor of surgery (gastrointestinal) at Yale School of Medicine; and adjunct clinical professor of surgery of Quinnipiac College, Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health System.

“Dr. Dudrick was an advocate for resident education. He always had an anecdote from his own experience as a resident, showing how his lessons were real. He lived liked us and succeeded, showing us that we could do it too,” said professor of surgery (vascular), Dr. Alan Dardik.

In , Dr. Dudrick was named chair emeritus, Department of Surgery and director emeritus of the Program in Surgery at Saint Mary’s Hospital and at Yale. He remained active for many years.

“More than anything he was a loving family man and enjoyed his simple rural lifestyle as he was brought up in,” said Walter E. Longo, division chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery.