Physician Hall of Fame

The A. Earl & Dorothy Mgebroff Historic Physician Autographs Collection

Not long after he signed the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush took a break from the post-revolutionary fervor to pen a letter to a patient seeking both medical and professional guidance. Little did he know that the letter's final destination would be Baylor College of Medicine—more than two centuries later.

A bequest from alumnus Dr. Earl Mgebroff ('53), who passed away last summer, provided the College a piece of medical history unlike any other: an extensive collection of original signatures and letters from the likes of Drs. Louis Pasteur, Jonas Salk, Karl Menninger, Benjamin Spock, and 80 of the most renowned physicians spanning the American Revolution to the present.

"This is a remarkable series of documents that cover the history of medicine in this country and abroad," said BCM Chancellor Emeritus and history buff Dr. William T. Butler. "Some of the real giants in medical discovery are included in this book."

Lust for life

Dorothy Mgebroff holds a portrait of Dr. Earl Mgebroff.

Dorothy Mgebroff describes her late husband Earl as someone who was interested in almost anything you can name.

The collection comprises a meticulous chronological arrangement of signatures and documents—mostly handwritten notes—and includes Dr., A. Earl Mgebroff's extensive historic description cards for each physician "in a museum-quality album," according to BCM Archives Director Diane Ware. "His well-planned collection reads like a virtual 'Who's Who' of renowned physicians," said Ware. "It rightly reflects Dr. Mgebroff's personal diligence and generosity."

Amassing such a collection through years of auction purchases epitomized Mgebroff's indefatigable outlook toward life during his 50-plus years practicing family medicine in Yoakum, Texas. Whether it was collecting (art, autographs, and toy soldiers) or pursuing hobbies (painting, playing the piano, traveling, and writing), Mgebroff lived life to the fullest.

"He was interested in almost anything you can name," Dorothy Mgebroff said of her late husband. "He was a person who never sat still. His mind was working all the time."

Mgebroff, the class valedictorian in medical school, graduated at a time before health care became heavily specialized. Serving as a general practitioner in a small town, where only a handful of doctors were working at the time, allowed him to practice family medicine while also performing surgery and delivering babies at the local hospital.

He happily worked nights and weekends on a regular basis in the days before Medicare and HMOs, whether patients could afford the $3 appointment fee (house calls were $5) or not. When his practice was at its busiest, he would see 40 to 50 patients a day in clinic, which suited him just fine.

The good doctor alluded to his passion for productivity in his book, Healthy and Whole (1988): "The hours I spend at work (at least most of them!) are short and happy ones. I do not need weekend escapes. I generally perform in a more proficient manner since I give even the smallest task my best effort, and the sense of joy and fulfillment rubs off on others."

Diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma of the liver last spring, Mgebroff continued to go to the office up until two weeks prior to his death.

In Full View

A. Earl Mgebroff's tenacious assembly of physician keepsakes will find a permanent home in the BCM Archives, selected documents will be displayed in the new Michael E. DeBakey Library & Museum, a fitting venue considering one of the signatories is BCM Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Michael E. DeBakey himself.

The value of displaying Mgebroff's gift, said Butler, lies in the nexus it forms between present and future doctors and their medical forefathers.

"This historical document tells the history of medical advances," said Butler. "Students and faculty can actually visualize and reflect back on the achievements of others in their fields."

College Receives One-of-a-Kind Signature Collection

The A. Earl & Dorothy Mgebroff Historic Physician Autographs Collection

Lust for life

In Full View

Patient Care

Research

Education

Community Service

Alumni & Development

College News

Volume 3, Issue 1, Spring 2007


	Physician Hall of Fame College Receives One-of-a-Kind Signature Collection The A. Earl & Dorothy Mgebroff Historic Physician Autographs Collection Complete list of signatories A few examples Not long after he signed the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush took a break from the post-revolutionary fervor to pen a letter to a patient seeking both medical and professional guidance. Little did he know that the letter's final destination would be Baylor College of Medicine—more than two centuries later. A bequest from alumnus Dr. Earl Mgebroff ('53), who passed away last summer, provided the College a piece of medical history unlike any other: an extensive collection of original signatures and letters from the likes of Drs. Louis Pasteur, Jonas Salk, Karl Menninger, Benjamin Spock, and 80 of the most renowned physicians spanning the American Revolution to the present. "This is a remarkable series of documents that cover the history of medicine in this country and abroad," said BCM Chancellor Emeritus and history buff Dr. William T. Butler. "Some of the real giants in medical discovery are included in this book." Lust for life Dorothy Mgebroff describes her late husband Earl as someone who was interested in almost anything you can name. The collection comprises a meticulous chronological arrangement of signatures and documents—mostly handwritten notes—and includes Dr., A. Earl Mgebroff's extensive historic description cards for each physician "in a museum-quality album," according to BCM Archives Director Diane Ware. "His well-planned collection reads like a virtual 'Who's Who' of renowned physicians," said Ware. "It rightly reflects Dr. Mgebroff's personal diligence and generosity." Amassing such a collection through years of auction purchases epitomized Mgebroff's indefatigable outlook toward life during his 50-plus years practicing family medicine in Yoakum, Texas. Whether it was collecting (art, autographs, and toy soldiers) or pursuing hobbies (painting, playing the piano, traveling, and writing), Mgebroff lived life to the fullest. "He was interested in almost anything you can name," Dorothy Mgebroff said of her late husband. "He was a person who never sat still. His mind was working all the time." Mgebroff, the class valedictorian in medical school, graduated at a time before health care became heavily specialized. Serving as a general practitioner in a small town, where only a handful of doctors were working at the time, allowed him to practice family medicine while also performing surgery and delivering babies at the local hospital. He happily worked nights and weekends on a regular basis in the days before Medicare and HMOs, whether patients could afford the $3 appointment fee (house calls were $5) or not. When his practice was at its busiest, he would see 40 to 50 patients a day in clinic, which suited him just fine. The good doctor alluded to his passion for productivity in his book, Healthy and Whole (1988): "The hours I spend at work (at least most of them!) are short and happy ones. I do not need weekend escapes. I generally perform in a more proficient manner since I give even the smallest task my best effort, and the sense of joy and fulfillment rubs off on others." Diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma of the liver last spring, Mgebroff continued to go to the office up until two weeks prior to his death. In Full View A. Earl Mgebroff's tenacious assembly of physician keepsakes will find a permanent home in the BCM Archives, selected documents will be displayed in the new Michael E. DeBakey Library & Museum, a fitting venue considering one of the signatories is BCM Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Michael E. DeBakey himself. The value of displaying Mgebroff's gift, said Butler, lies in the nexus it forms between present and future doctors and their medical forefathers. "This historical document tells the history of medical advances," said Butler. "Students and faculty can actually visualize and reflect back on the achievements of others in their fields." The collection's timelessness is apparent in more ways than its historical significance: It provides indisputable scientific evidence that doctors have always had messy handwriting.		Search all issues: Patient Care Putting the Pieces Together: Megan's Story When Baby Heart Patients Grow Up Perfect Fit A Half Century of Love Saying Goodnight to Sleeping Pills Research A Cellular Passion From a Sister's Illness... A Cancer Crusade From Libretti to the Lab Education Leaping the Language Barrier Online Science Community Service Altruistic Art When the MVP is a Dr. A Neighborhood Need Alumni & Development BRASS Connections Help Students Soar If Walls Could Talk The Highest Honor The Ambassadors College News Physician Hall of Fame: College Receives One-of-a-Kind Signature Collection People Working Together to Achieve Greatness

	Volume 3, Issue 1, Spring 2007



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