Lauren Ackerman
Encyclopedia
Lauren Vedder Ackerman was a prestigious American pathologist, who championed the subspecialty of surgical pathology
in the mid-twentieth century.
(Canton, NY), later transferring to, and graduating from, Hamilton College (Clinton, NY) in 1927 with a B.S. degree in engineering. He worked for the next year in that profession, but then decided to pursue a medical career.
School of Medicine (Rochester, NY), then a new facility. It was staffed with very able faculty members who could provide virtually-individual attention to the students, a practice that Ackerman was to adopt himself in the future. After obtaining his M.D. in 1932, he served as an intern and resident in Internal Medicine
at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) under the chairmanship of Dr. William Kerr. A year's sabbatical from training was necessary because Ackerman had contracted tuberculosis
as a medical student. As a patient in a local sanitarium, he helped to pass the time by assisting at autopsies done on less fortunate cohorts .
After completion of his Medicine residency, Lauren decided to pursue additional specialty training in Pathology. He returned to the University of Rochester, working under the direction of Dr. George Whipple
. After one year, Ackerman moved to Boston, MA as a resident working principally at the Pondville State Cancer Hospital. He completed his studies there in 1938, and married Elizabeth Fitts the same year .
and Washington University in St. Louis, MO, several of whom also had appointments at EFCH. In 1948, Ackerman was offered a position at Barnes Hospital as the chief surgical pathologist and associate professor of Surgery, under the chairmanship of Dr. Evarts Ambrose Graham
(it was then a common practice for surgical pathologists to be part of surgery faculties).
Dr. Ackerman accrued an ever-greater experience in diagnostic surgical pathology over the succeeding several years. In the early 1950s, he decided to apply that knowledge to the formulation of a textbook, which was essentially single-authored and published in 1953 with the simple title "Surgical Pathology". Although other texts on the topic did exist—notably one by Dr. William Boyd
-- Ackerman's monograph was singular in that it focused on differential diagnosis and the clinical significance of morphologic findings. Accordingly, it rapidly drew attention and acclaim from other practicing pathologists.
Many peer-reviewed publications by Ackerman also were done on surgical pathological subjects throughout the early and mid 1950s. As a consequence, he received and accepted many invitations to present seminars around the world. During those travels, Ackerman was introduced to the best young pathologists that many countries had to offer, and several such individuals were invited to St. Louis to further their training with him. American physicians wishing to become surgical pathologists were also increasingly drawn to Barnes Hospital. Indeed, a steady stream of Ackerman-trained surgical pathology fellows emerged during the next 20 years, many of whom went on to become renowned practitioners and educators in their own rights. The Ackerman "method" involved thorough morphologic analysis, correlation of pathologic findings with detailed clinical information, and active consultation with attending physicians to assure optimal patient care.
After a 25-year tenure, Lauren Ackerman retired as a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine
in 1973.
(SUNY-SB). He continued to lecture actively at an international level, but he assigned editorship of his surgical pathology textbook to Dr. Juan Rosai
, who has continued to oversee "Rosai & Ackerman's Surgical Pathology" through its tenth edition.
Medal of the American Radium Society; the Fred W. Stewart Award from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
of New York City; the Gold-Headed Cane Award from the American Association of Pathologists; the Distinguished Service Award from Washington University; the Prix de Paris Award from the Institute Gustave-Roussy
in Villejuif, France; and the City of Paris Award from Paris, France .
and Italian
at SUNY-SB .
Surgical pathology
Surgical pathology is the most significant and time-consuming area of practice for most anatomical pathologists. Surgical pathology involves the gross and microscopic examination of surgical specimens, as well as biopsies submitted by non-surgeons such as general internists, medical subspecialists,...
in the mid-twentieth century.
Early life
Ackerman was born in March 1905 in Auburn, NY, to Bertha (née Vedder) and John Ackerman. Both of his parents were college graduates, a distinctly unusual accomplishment at that time. His father was a civil and mechanical engineer, who later became City Manager of Watertown, NY. Despite growing up in a learned family environment, Lauren was an indifferent student with mediocre grades . After high school graduation in 1923 Ackerman began his college studies at St. Lawrence UniversitySt. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female....
(Canton, NY), later transferring to, and graduating from, Hamilton College (Clinton, NY) in 1927 with a B.S. degree in engineering. He worked for the next year in that profession, but then decided to pursue a medical career.
Medical Education & Postgraduate Training
Lauren was accepted to the University of RochesterUniversity of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
School of Medicine (Rochester, NY), then a new facility. It was staffed with very able faculty members who could provide virtually-individual attention to the students, a practice that Ackerman was to adopt himself in the future. After obtaining his M.D. in 1932, he served as an intern and resident in Internal Medicine
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) under the chairmanship of Dr. William Kerr. A year's sabbatical from training was necessary because Ackerman had contracted tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
as a medical student. As a patient in a local sanitarium, he helped to pass the time by assisting at autopsies done on less fortunate cohorts .
After completion of his Medicine residency, Lauren decided to pursue additional specialty training in Pathology. He returned to the University of Rochester, working under the direction of Dr. George Whipple
George Whipple
George Hoyt Whipple was an American physician, pathologist, biomedical researcher, and medical school educator and administrator...
. After one year, Ackerman moved to Boston, MA as a resident working principally at the Pondville State Cancer Hospital. He completed his studies there in 1938, and married Elizabeth Fitts the same year .
Career in Missouri
With no available pathology positions in the offing, Dr. Ackerman accepted a position as assistant professor of Medicine back at UCSF in 1939. However, he was also responsible for performing autopsies there on patients who had died of pulmonary diseases. In 1940, a job in pathology was offered to Ackerman at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital (EFCH) in Columbia, MO, a state-run center for indigent patients with malignancies. Because of his background in clinical medicine, he also had duties in electrocardiography and radiotherapy at EFCH. After several years of experience there, Ackerman authored his first book, "Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prognosis", with Dr. Juan Del Regato, a radiotherapist. A progressively-closer professional relationship grew with surgeons at nearby Barnes HospitalBarnes Hospital
Barnes Hospital, also known as Barnes Convalescent Home, in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England, is a former hospital. It is located near to the A34 road and is in the middle of the complex interchange between the A34, M60 motorway and M56 motorway. Whilst the hospital was constructed in a rural...
and Washington University in St. Louis, MO, several of whom also had appointments at EFCH. In 1948, Ackerman was offered a position at Barnes Hospital as the chief surgical pathologist and associate professor of Surgery, under the chairmanship of Dr. Evarts Ambrose Graham
Evarts Ambrose Graham
Evarts Ambrose Graham was a professor and a physician.Born in Chicago, Illinois to a surgeon, Graham received his M.D. degree from Rush Medical College, in 1907. An expert thoracic surgeon, he was best known for collaborating with J. J. Singer on the successful removal of a lung to fight cancer....
(it was then a common practice for surgical pathologists to be part of surgery faculties).
Dr. Ackerman accrued an ever-greater experience in diagnostic surgical pathology over the succeeding several years. In the early 1950s, he decided to apply that knowledge to the formulation of a textbook, which was essentially single-authored and published in 1953 with the simple title "Surgical Pathology". Although other texts on the topic did exist—notably one by Dr. William Boyd
William Boyd (pathologist)
William Boyd, was a Scottish-Canadian pathologist, academic, and author known for his medical textbooks....
-- Ackerman's monograph was singular in that it focused on differential diagnosis and the clinical significance of morphologic findings. Accordingly, it rapidly drew attention and acclaim from other practicing pathologists.
Many peer-reviewed publications by Ackerman also were done on surgical pathological subjects throughout the early and mid 1950s. As a consequence, he received and accepted many invitations to present seminars around the world. During those travels, Ackerman was introduced to the best young pathologists that many countries had to offer, and several such individuals were invited to St. Louis to further their training with him. American physicians wishing to become surgical pathologists were also increasingly drawn to Barnes Hospital. Indeed, a steady stream of Ackerman-trained surgical pathology fellows emerged during the next 20 years, many of whom went on to become renowned practitioners and educators in their own rights. The Ackerman "method" involved thorough morphologic analysis, correlation of pathologic findings with detailed clinical information, and active consultation with attending physicians to assure optimal patient care.
After a 25-year tenure, Lauren Ackerman retired as a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine , located in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the graduate schools of Washington University in St. Louis. One of the top medical schools in the United States, it is currently ranked 4th for research according to U.S. News and World Report and has been listed...
in 1973.
Post-retirement in New York
Ackerman moved back to New York state with his wife, and took an adjunct faculty position at the State University of New York at Stony BrookStony Brook
Stony Brook, Stonybrook or Stoney Brook may refer to:In California* Farwell, California, once known as StonybrookIn Massachusetts* Stony Brook , a tributary of the Charles River in Boston...
(SUNY-SB). He continued to lecture actively at an international level, but he assigned editorship of his surgical pathology textbook to Dr. Juan Rosai
Juan Rosai
Juan Rosai, M.D. is an Italian-born American physician who has contributed to clinical research in the subspecialty of surgical pathology. He is the principal author and editor of a major textbook in that field, and he has characterized novel medical conditions such as Rosai-Dorfman disease and...
, who has continued to oversee "Rosai & Ackerman's Surgical Pathology" through its tenth edition.
Professional awards and honors
Numerous professional accolades were accorded Lauren Ackerman throughout his career. Those included the Theodore Caldwell JanewayTheodore Caldwell Janeway
Theodore Caldwell Janeway was the first full-time professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, recruited in 1914.-Early on:...
Medal of the American Radium Society; the Fred W. Stewart Award from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
of New York City; the Gold-Headed Cane Award from the American Association of Pathologists; the Distinguished Service Award from Washington University; the Prix de Paris Award from the Institute Gustave-Roussy
Institut Gustave Roussy
The Institut Gustave-Roussy is one of the world’s leading cancer-research institutes and the biggest health center dedicated to oncology in Europe. It is located in Villejuif, South Paris, France...
in Villejuif, France; and the City of Paris Award from Paris, France .
Personal life
Ackerman was a multifaceted individual aside from his medical activities. He was a skilled pool player; an avid fisherman and golfer; a lover of art, literature, and classical music; and a connoisseur of fine food and wine . He had 3 daughters and a son; John Ackerman, Gretchen Ackerman O'Neal, Jennifer Ackerman Arndt, and Alison Ackerman, as well as 14 grandchildren . His first wife Elizabeth died of complications of plasmacytic myeloma in 1981 . Late in life, Dr. Ackerman married Dr. Carol Blum, a professor of FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
at SUNY-SB .