Biography focuses on how Dr. Martin's rural lifestyle and values richly influenced his career as a surgeon and leader
CHICAGO (February 25, 2022): The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently released a biography of its founder, Franklin H. Martin, MD, FACS, chronicling Dr. Martin's little-examined rural youth, the values he learned at early age, and how his upbringing richly influenced his career as a surgeon. The book, Franklin H. Martin, MD, FACS: From rural boyhood to distinguished surgeon, was written by Gordon L. Telford, MD, FACS, who lives in the same area of southeastern Wisconsin where Dr. Martin was raised.
"This book provides insight into the impact of Dr. Franklin Martin's early years in Wisconsin on his later accomplishments and hypothesizes that his rural upbringing helped him become a great leader. The book also describes 10 other very accomplished surgeons and two other accomplished individuals that benefitted from a rural-based farm upbringing," said Dr. Telford.
Dr. Martin was raised in southeastern Wisconsin, where he spent time in Oconomowoc, Watertown, and Ixonia. During this time, he developed the character, self-confidence, and other characteristics that helped him become a statesman for surgery. During his early years, he worked on his grandfather's farm and later as a farm laborer, brickmaker, janitor, schoolteacher, and millwright. He never lost his work ethic—something that stayed with him throughout his illustrious career as a successful physician, administrator, and leader.
"He, like his family members, worked to the point of exhaustion. Years later, as an administrator, no matter how stressful his workday was, he recalled that the days in the fields and brickyard were much more exhausting and stressful," Dr. Telford writes in the book's introduction. "Martin learned that hard work yielded results, and he never lost that drive."
Dr. Martin graduated from Chicago Medical School in 1880, and later founded the journal Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics (now the Journal of the American College of Surgeons) in 1905, the Clinical Congress of the Surgeons of North America in 1910, and the ACS in 1913, all of which are still thriving over a century later today. Additionally, Dr. Martin co-founded the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital in Chicago and developed the ACS Hospital Standardization Program. which in 1952 led to the formation of what is today known as The Joint Commission. He also served on the Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense in preparation for World War I.
Franklin H. Martin, MD, FACS: From rural boyhood to distinguished surgeon is published by the ACS and was designed by Tina Woelke, Senior Graphic Designer/Production Manager in the ACS Division of Integrated Communications.
The book is available for purchase or free PDF download for ACS members through the ACS website. It will also be available on Amazon and in select bookstores in Oconomowoc and Watertown, Wisconsin.
