John E. Jesseph, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Painting by William G. Ashby, 1981
Reproduced courtesy Indiana University School of Medicine

JOHN E. JESSEPH MEMORIAL LECTURERS

* 1983 - Seymour I. Schwartz
* 1984 - Alexander J. Walt
* 1985 - Lloyd M. Nyhus
* 1986 - Ward 0. Griffen, Jr.
* 1987 - Robert E. Condon
* 1988 - J. Roland Folse
* 1989 - Robert J. Freeark
* 1990 - J. Bradley Aust
* 1991 - Claude H. Organ, Jr.
* 1992 - George E. Block
* 1993 - M. J. Jurkiewicz
* 1994 - Walter J. Lawrence, Jr.
* 1995 - Wallace P. Ritchie, Jr.
* 1996 - Lloyd D. MacLean
* 1997 - Josef E. Fischer
* 1998 - Jerry M. Shuck
* 1999 - Ronald K. Tompkins
* 2000 - Mark A. Malangoni
* 2001 - Kirby I. Bland
* 2002 - E. Christopher Ellison
* 2003 - Hiram Polk
* 2004 - Nathaniel Soper

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
on behalf of
JOHN E. JESSEPH, M.D.
William H. and Sallie E. Coleman Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery
Indiana University School of Medicine
Born: November 6, 1925 - Died: March 29, 1982

John E. Jesseph, M.D., was born in Pasco, Washington, November 6, 1925, and grew up in the great Northwest region of our country. At the age of 19 he answered the call to duty during WW II and entered the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as a Japanese interpreter. At the conclusion of the war, following an honorable discharge, Jack returned to his home State of Washington. There he attended undergraduate school at Whitman College in Walla Walla and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. Dr. Jesseph attended medical school at the University of Washington in Seattle and was graduated with honors in 1953. He continued postgraduate training in a General Surgical Residency under the direction of Professor Henry N. Harkins at that same institution. Dr. Jesseph coordinated his surgical training with research activities and received a Master of Science degree from the University of Washington in 1956. Upon completion of his surgical residency in 1959 he was appointed to the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and began an illustrious academic surgical career. Dr. Jesseph's research interests were varied and he published articles on a multitude of topics. His early investigative studies concerned the development of a system for open heart surgical procedures, synthetic prosthetic devices to replace arteries and veins, and the utilization of plethysmography in the diagnosis of venous disease. Jack subsequently developed a keen interest in gastrointestinal physiology with a special emphasis on the physiologic effects following gastric resection. His work concerning the role of serotonin in the dumping syndrome is a classic report on this topic. In recognition of his work, Dr. Jesseph was appointed a Visiting Associate Scientist at the Brookhaven National Laboratories on Long Island in 1962. At Brookhaven, he evaluated the potential clinical applicability of photon bombardment and the laser.

In 1965, Jack accepted a position on the faculty at Ohio State University as an Associate Professor of Surgery with Dr. Robert M. Zollinger as his Chairman. Two years later he was promoted to full Professor and was made Vice-Chairman of the Department. In 1971, Dr. Jesseph accepted the position of Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Indiana University.

During his decade as chairman, Dr. Jesseph developed new surgical education and patient care programs that expanded the capability and resources of both the Department of Surgery and the Indiana University Medical Center. He reorganized the surgery training program by incorporating the Wishard Hospital residency as an integral part of the department. Dr. Jesseph helped coordinate the activities and quarterly educational programs of the State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons with those of the Department. This was a significant step in improving relations between the practicing surgeons in the state and the Department of Surgery. Dr. Jesseph expanded the depth of the Department by recruiting new faculty members and in addition, developed two new sections within the Department; those of Pediatric Surgery and Transplant Surgery. He played a major role in the State wide program for medical education and took an active interest in producing medical educational films.

As a clinician, Dr. Jesseph was both a fine physician and talented surgeon. He showed a genuine warmth and concern for his patients and was both sincere and kind to them. He was supportive of young faculty and residents and felt a direct responsibility for their development. He was extremely proud of his residents and conducted his professional activities in a manner that clearly established him as a highly respected teacher and role model.

On the national level, Dr. Jesseph was also held in high esteem. He was a member of many surgical societies including the Society of University Surgeons, the American Surgical Association and the Halsted Society. In addition, he was elected to the membership of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, the Western Surgical Association and the Central Surgical Association. He served as Treasurer of the Central Surgical from 1975-1978 and was the first Chairman of Surgery at Indiana University to serve as President of this fine regional surgical group from 1979-1980.
Dr. Jesseph was a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and a Director of the American Board of Family Practice. He was a director of the American Board of Surgery from 1974-1980 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1978-1980.
Jack had been elected to Alpha Omega Alpha and the Society of Sigma Xi and served as a member of the Editorial Board of two peer review surgical journals; SURGERY and THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY. Dr. Jesseph had published more than 100 scientific and clinical articles during his productive career.

In 1975 Dr. Jesseph was honored by receiving a Doctor of Science degree from Whitman College, his alma mater.

There were other aspects of Jack Jesseph's life that were not well known or appreciated by many of his professional acquaintances. He was a man of high moral fiber and extremely conscious of his responsibilities as devoted husband to his lovely wife Marley (his high school sweetheart), loving father to his two sons, Steven and Jerry, and proud grandparent to his three grandchildren. Dr. Jesseph was most gratified when Jerry chose to follow in his footsteps and pursue a surgical career. Jack was also a great partriot who openly demonstrated love of flag and country. The American eagle was his favorite bird and he was an avid collector of eagle pictures and sculptures. July 4th, the flag, apple pie, baseball, and other indicators of Americana were an important part of Jack Jesseph's life. He had some unusual hobbies that included restoration of player pianos, antique cars, organs and Wurlitzer nickelodeons. Jack was an expert trap shooter, better than average salmon fisherman, welder of bicycle parts for the children of other faculty members and a man with a good sense of humor. He was an accomplished civil war historian and had great admiration for the military tactical genius of General Sherman. Jack was also a member of the Indiana Historical Society. His decade of life in Indiana as Chairman led to an acquired chauvinism for Indiana University and the Hoosier State. He would frequently attend events dressed in his crimson jacket and IU tie with a carnation in the lapel that ultimately became his trademark. His love of country and state resulted in Jack Jesseph becoming a Colonel in the Indiana National Guard where he served as Medical Commandant. Dr. Jesseph was instrumental in establishing the Medical Reserve Officers Training Corps for medical students at the Indiana University School of Medicine - the first such program in the country. For this, he was awarded the Eagle Award by General Lavern Weber, Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Guard. Dr. Jesseph was recently awarded the Indiana Distinguished Service Medal by Governor Robert Orr and in addition became a Sagamore of the Wabash.

During the past year, Dr. Jesseph was afflicted with a malignant condition. His response to his illness was as expected, a positive attitude, full of optimism with "business as usual". He expressed gratitude for being blessed with a remission that allowed him to continue his work and make appropriate preparations for his family and colleagues. Jack Jesseph possessed a special inner strength among those qualities that distinguished him among men.

John E. Jesseph died on March 29, 1982 at age 56 years concluding a career filled with accomplishments. Those who had the privilege of working with Jack are better for having known him. His students, residents and colleagues will miss their teacher, leader and friend.

Be it resolved that this memorial resolution be presented to the Faculty Council of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and that copies be sent to Mrs. John E. Jesseph (Marley), Dr. Jerry M. Jesseph of Indianapolis, Mr. Steven A. Jesseph of Cincinnati, Ohio and Mrs. Cindy Smith of Indianapolis.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay L. Grosfeld, M.D.
James A. Madura, M.D.
Ronald S. Filo, M.D.