MARK M. RAVITCH, Med 1934, one of the founding fathers of modern pediatric surgery, recalled that as a young college graduate he was disappointed when his application to Harvard Medical School was rejected. He later realized that the decision was “the greatest good fortune that could have come to me.” After earning his medical degree at Hopkins, Dr. Ravitch completed a surgical residency with the renowned Alfred Blalock.
A prolific writer, Dr. Ravitch authored 453 papers, 101 book chapters, 22 books, and served as editor of nearly 20 medical journals. Dr. Ravitch was perhaps best known as an expert on the correction of chest-wall deformities in children and as a pioneer in the use of mechanical suturing in surgery. He is also remembered for his incisive mind, his intellectual integrity, and his demanding yet compassionate Socratic approach to teaching. In 1989, at the age of 78, Dr. Ravitch was still teaching students from his hospital bed. He died that year.
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