George Cartwright’s Legacy and the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies
The year 2017 marks the 100th birthday of Dr. George Cartwright who served as the Chief of the Hematology Division from 1950 to 1967 and as the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine from 1967 to 1980. Our Division celebrates him as an eminent scholar and pioneer of his field who developed the science and clinical practice of Hematology much like a blueprint for other disciplines in medicine. His colleagues and students knew him as a man of insatiable curiosity, creativity, analytical skills and perseverance. A deep thinker always ready to share ideas and to inspire his colleagues to think and develop concepts and hypotheses. An astute clinician and incredibly hard worker with a sense for the joys of life such as skiing at Alta. A kind man of integrity and tireless supporter of talent and scientific quest. As the clinical practice and science of Hematology continues to evolve in the rapidly changing landscape of genetics, rational drug design and health care transformation, our Division honors George Cartwright’s legacy and will continue to push the limits of knowledge in the clinic and in the laboratory. How did Hematology scholars like George Cartwright accomplish so much? I recall a quote from the valediction celebration of my own mentor, John Goldman, at Imperial College in 2003.
The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
No doubt George Cartwright fits this bill.
Michael Deininger MD PhD
Professor and Former Chief of Hematology
and Hematologic Malignancies
Read further reflections by Paul Bray, MD and James Kushner, MD.
John W. Athens Memorial Lecture
The first John W. Athens Memorial Lecture was held on October 4, 2017 in the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Utah featuring Dr. Harry S. Jacob and Dr. John Harlan. Dr. Jack Athens died suddenly this past June 1, 2017. Dr. Athens was Chief of the Division of Hematology from 1967 to 1987. Drs. Jacob and Harlan reviewed the impressive scientific contributions of Dr. Athens on discovering the marginated pool of neutrophils. His discoveries motivated the subsequent research of both Drs. Jacob and Harlan. Read the memorial tribute to John W. Athens