Harvey Cushing
Early Life and Education
Harvey Williams Cushing was born on April 8, 1869, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of ten children of Henry Kirke Cushing, a lawyer, and his wife, Betsey Maria Williams Cushing. His father's profession led to a life of relative comfort for the Cushing family, allowing Harvey to pursue his interests in the natural sciences from a young age.
Cushing attended the University of Yale, where he was a member of Scroll and Key, a secret society. He graduated in 1891 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to study medicine at Harvard University Medical School, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1895.
Medical Career
After graduating from medical school, Cushing began his surgical residency at Johns Hopkins, where he worked under the guidance of the renowned surgeon, William Halsted. It was here that Cushing began to develop his surgical techniques and his interest in the human brain.
In 1902, Cushing left Johns Hopkins to become a surgeon at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, where he would spend the majority of his career. He was also appointed as a professor of surgery at Harvard. During his time at Brigham Hospital, Cushing made significant advancements in the field of neurosurgery, including the development of new surgical techniques and the discovery of several medical conditions.
Contributions to Neurosurgery
Cushing's contributions to the field of neurosurgery are numerous and significant. He is often referred to as the "father of modern neurosurgery," due to his pioneering work in the field.
One of Cushing's most notable contributions was his development of the method of operating on the brain under local anesthesia, a technique that significantly reduced the mortality rate of brain surgery. He also developed methods for controlling bleeding during surgery, which further improved patient outcomes.
Cushing is also known for his discovery and description of several medical conditions related to the brain. Perhaps the most well-known of these is Cushing's disease, a condition characterized by an overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands, often due to a pituitary tumor.
Later Life and Legacy
Cushing continued to work at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital until his retirement in 1932. After retiring, he moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where he spent his remaining years writing and researching. He passed away on October 7, 1939.
Cushing's legacy in the field of neurosurgery is immense. His surgical techniques and discoveries have had a lasting impact on the field, and his work continues to be referenced and built upon today. In recognition of his contributions, the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University was named in his honor.
