The Big 5-0

Cardiothoracic surgery has reached a major milestone this year.

The residency program started 50 years ago with I. Ross Grimes, MD as the first thoracic surgery resident.

Also in 1959, fifty years ago -

• January 21, 1959 - the first open heart surgery at Children's Hospital.
• June 8, 1959 - the first open heart surgery at the VA.
• November 1, 1959 - The first case of open-heart correction for total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage reported at Children’s Hospital.

During this time, fifty-six residents trained with Gil Campbell, MD (1959-1965), then G. Rainey Williams, MD (1965-1975) and Ronald C. Elkins, MD (1975-2002) and currently Marvin D. Peyton, MD (2002-present).

What do you remember about your thoracic surgery rotation?