St. Louis attorney George S. Hecker (1922-2001) joined the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Barnard Free Skin and Cancer Hospital in 1951, serving on both for almost 20 years. In addition, Hecker served as Treasurer of the Washington University Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals (WUMSAH) from 1964 to 1969.
Summary:
The first interview covers the history of the Barnard Free Skin and Cancer Hospital in St. Louis, its affiliation with Washington University School of Medicine in the early 1950s, and its growth not only as a hospital offering free care to the indigent but also as a clinical and research hospital. In the second interview Hecker discusses the organization and early years of the Washington University Medical School and Associated Hospitals, Inc. (WUMSAH), 1962-1964. Hecker also discusses the dispute between Edgar Queeny, chairman of the Trustees of Barnes Hospital, and the Washington University School of Medicine and its then-dean, Edward Dempsey.
Notes:
The first interview is approximately 18 minutes in length. The second interview is approximately 24 minutes in length.
Download and open the audio file using your browser’s default media player. Audio interviews are presented in the MP3 audio format and may be accessed using QuickTime, Windows Media Player, or RealPlayer. Some audio files are very large and may take several minutes to load.
Use the MP3 Flash Player below to listen to the interview. If you do not see the player, you do not have the Flash Player installed. Click here to install.
Click on the right arrow to start. (If you are using Internet Explorer you may have to click on the arrow twice to start the player.)
Please note: The Becker Medical Library presents this oral history interview as part of the record of the past. This primary historical resource may reflect the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times and of the interviewee. The Becker Medical Library does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these oral history transcripts. If you discover an error or would like to offer suggestions, please click here to contact us.
