Philip H. Sechzer
Encyclopedia
Philip H. Sechzer was a pioneer in anesthesiology
and pain management
. He was the inventor of patient-controlled analgesia
(PCA), now commonly used post-operatively. Sechzer graduated from New York's
Stuyvesant High School
in 1930, and received his medical degree from New York University
in 1938.
The son of Jewish immigrants, Sechzer grew up in the hardscrabble Lower East Side
of the 1920s. He was a Major in the US Army Air Forces Medical Corps during World War II
. While his wish was to be a flight surgeon, the Army found his skills too valuable to put him in harm's way, and kept him stationed in Texas
, where he administered to the most acute cases returning stateside from battle.
Trained in general surgery, Sechzer was fascinated by the study of pain itself and worked tirelessly to take anesthesiology into the modern era. He was one of the first Western physicians to incorporate Eastern medicine, worked to legitimize acupuncture
into standard palliative practices, and in 1985 lectured in China. After his formal retirement in 1986, he continued to work as a medical consultant almost till the end of his life.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
and pain management
Pain management
Pain management is a branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. The typical pain management team includes medical practitioners, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists,...
. He was the inventor of patient-controlled analgesia
Patient-controlled analgesia
Patient-controlled analgesia is any method of allowing a person in pain to administer their own pain relief. The infusion is programmable by the prescriber...
(PCA), now commonly used post-operatively. Sechzer graduated from New York's
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School , commonly referred to as Stuy , is a New York City public high school that specializes in mathematics and science. The school opened in 1904 on Manhattan's East Side and moved to a new building in Battery Park City in 1992. Stuyvesant is noted for its strong academic...
in 1930, and received his medical degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1938.
The son of Jewish immigrants, Sechzer grew up in the hardscrabble Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
of the 1920s. He was a Major in the US Army Air Forces Medical Corps during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. While his wish was to be a flight surgeon, the Army found his skills too valuable to put him in harm's way, and kept him stationed in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where he administered to the most acute cases returning stateside from battle.
Trained in general surgery, Sechzer was fascinated by the study of pain itself and worked tirelessly to take anesthesiology into the modern era. He was one of the first Western physicians to incorporate Eastern medicine, worked to legitimize acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
into standard palliative practices, and in 1985 lectured in China. After his formal retirement in 1986, he continued to work as a medical consultant almost till the end of his life.