On a winter morning in 1910 a young surgeon arrived in Sayre, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of a distinguished career.
Dr. Donald Guthrie was appointed as the new surgeon-in-chief of Robert Packer Hospital at the age of 29. Home of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, the fifteen-bed rural teaching hospital primarily served railroad workers.
Dr. Guthrie fostered a community that valued education. He created the Guthrie Clinic Bulletin to disseminate papers authored by residents and interns. He also developed a diagnostic clinic and expanded the hospital staff. After little more than a decade, Dr. Guthrie had established one of the most reputable medical centers in the region.
Born June 23, 1880, to prominent surgeon Dr. George Washington Guthrie, Dr. Guthrie observed the practice of medicine from afar. He received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Yale University in 1901 and obtained his medical education in 1905 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed training as a surgical assistant alongside Drs. Charles Horace Mayo, William James Mayo, and E. Starr Judd at Mayo Clinic. He was known for his meticulous approach and commitment to exceptional patient care.
Aside from his accomplishments in medicine, Dr. Guthrie was a founding member of the American Board of Surgery and the Guthrie Clinic. He also established the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital General Surgery Residency Program in 1959, one of the oldest surgical residency programs in the country.
In addition to his medical achievements, Dr. Guthrie’s philanthropic efforts through the Donald Guthrie Foundation for Medical Research have furthered advancements in medical science. The foundation continues to support research projects that expand the boundaries of medical knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Guthrie's legacy continues to impact the field of medicine. His contributions to the American Board of Surgery have laid the foundation for the rigorous standards and practices that surgeons adhere to. Dr. Guthrie's dedication to the medical profession extended beyond his own practice. As president of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, he advocated for the rights of both patients and healthcare professionals. His leadership and influence left a lasting impact on the medical community, fostering a culture of compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Dr. Guthrie's most cherished legacy is the custom-built music box he used. Patients awoke from anesthesia comforted by the familiar sound of "The Skaters' Waltz," creating a soothing environment. This small gesture exemplified Dr. Guthrie's humanity and commitment to patient-centered care.
The Dr. Donald Guthrie Professorship in Surgery at Yale University was established in 1965 at the bequest of Emily Franklin Baker Guthrie, the widow of Dr. Guthrie, after his passing on October 30, 1958, at the age of 78. Dr. Guthrie's dedication to the well-being of others continues to guide faculty at Yale Department of Surgery.
Donald Guthrie Professors
- Bernard Lytton, MBBS, Donald Guthrie Professor Emeritus of Surgery
- Robert M. Weiss, MD, Donald Guthrie Professor of Urology