Deterling, Ralph

Dates

• Existence: 1917-04-29 -- 1992-07-24 - 1992-07-24

Biography

Abstract:

Ralph A. Deterling, Jr., M.D. (1917-1992) was both professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine and Surgeon-In-Chief at New England Medical Center Hospital (NEMCH) from 1959 to 1975. He received his medical education at Stanford University and the University of Minnesota, where he acquired an MD in 1942 from the former and a Doctorate in Surgery in 1947 from the latter. In addition to his positions at Tufts and the NEMCH, he was also affiliated with several medical institutions around Boston, including Boston City Hospital, where he was Director of First Surgical Service. He was highly engaged in research relating to cardiac surgery, and involved in several surgical societies, including the International Cardiovascular Society, on which he served as president in 1971. As much of an administrator as he was a doctor and teacher, he was a member of several committees, where he played a vital role in making the New England Medical Center the primary teaching hospitals for the Tufts University School of Medicine. He died in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in 1992. <p>Ralph Alden Deterling, Jr., M.D. was born on April 29, 1917 in Williamsburg Pennsylvania. He received his MD in 1942 from Stanford University and his Doctorate in Surgery in 1947 from the University of Minnesota. Fifteen years later, he would receive an award from his alma mater for his achievements in surgery at the New England Medical Center.</p> <p>Dr. Deterling’s career as a surgeon was concurrent with several teaching appointments, beginning at Columbia University in 1948, where he eventually became an Associate Professor of Surgery. He held surgeon positions at several local hospitals during this time, including Presbyterian Hospital, Manhattan Veteran Hospital, Paterson General Hospital, and United States Naval Hospitals between 1948 and 1959. He played a directorial role at several surgical research laboratories, and became instrumental in developing artificial vascular graphs.</p> <p>In 1959 Dr. Deterling came to Tufts, where he was named professor and chair of the Department of Surgery. He was also appointed as the Surgeon-in-Chief of the New England Medical Center, positions he assumed until his retirement from medicine in 1974. During his time at Tufts and NEMC, he continued the work of his predecessors, installing full-time faculty at NEMC and other local hospitals, as well as continuing to develop a surgical residency program for the School of Medicine. This surgical program worked in cooperation with the hospitals at NEMC. Dr. Deterling was a member of several committees, including the Tufts Medical Center Associates, which proposed the integration of the clinical departments at the New England Medical Center Hospital and the Tufts University School of Medicine.</p> <p>Dr. Deterling’s research in surgery was as an integral component to his work as a teacher and surgeon at Tufts. His contribution to surgical research is represented in the many societies of which he was a member, if not a leader. In fact, he was involved in the organization of several surgical societies. He served as Secretary-General, and later President of the International Cardiovascular Society. He was also president of the New England Society of Vascular Surgery.</p> <p>Dr. Deterling died in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in 1992. His son, William, is also a surgeon.</p>

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