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Robert Grissom, M.D. |
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Dr. Grissom, left, and Fred Paustian, M.D., work with a medical student. |
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Dr. Grissom with his wife, Virginia, in 2006. |
As the first full-time chairman of UNMC’s Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Grissom set high standards in medical education, medical ethics and in the quality of care and dedication to patients. He stressed the importance of intellectual curiosity, research and the fact that the physician should be a life-long learner.
The professor emeritus of the department of cardiology also was one of four original full-time clinical faculty members at the medical center. Even after his retirement in 1987, Dr. Grissom continued to attend grand rounds, campus events and exercise at the Center for Healthy Living.
“Dr. Grissom is a real giant in the history of medicine in Nebraska,” said Mike Sorrell, M.D., the Robert L. Grissom, M.D., Professor of Medicine at UNMC, on the occasion of Dr. Grissom’s 50th anniversary with the medical center in 2003. “He brought the concept of academic internal medicine to Nebraska.”
“Dr. Grissom was an incredibly special person,” Dr. Sorrell said this week. “He was the perfect template for what an internist was supposed to be. Whatever decision he made, it was always fair and just. He was an incredibly honorable man who helped create the cultural milieu we use today for training our students and residents. He was a marvelous role model for all of us … a remarkable man. I loved the guy.”
Dr. Grissom was recruited to UNMC in 1953 from the University of Illinois, where he was assistant professor of internal medicine. He served as associate professor of internal medicine and vice chairman of the department. In 1956, he became the first full-time chairman of the department of internal medicine, a position he held until he stepped down in 1970 — the same year the new wing of University Hospital opened. Following the chairmanship, he worked in the cardiology section, serving as acting head of the section from 1970-1972, until his retirement in 1987.
Each year, in celebration of their March 5 birthdays, College of Medicine Dean John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., and Dr. Grissom would extend birthday wishes to one another by phone.
“Bob Grissom is one of the most recognized figures at UNMC,” Dr. Gollan said. “His contributions to the College of Medicine and the department of internal medicine have been vast. He served as a model that all medical faculty should aspire to and be proud to emulate — his energy was extraordinary, and his passion for medicine continued until his passing. He was a special man whose presence we will sadly miss.”
“Dr. Grissom is in essence the ‘founding father’ of the department,” said Lynell Klassen, M.D., chairman of the internal medicine department. “He essentially laid the groundwork for what it means to be an internist and to train internists at UNMC. He’ll always be remembered for his dedication to patient care, professionalism and altruism and for being a lifelong student of medicine.”
Even after retirement, Dr. Grissom continued to teach until 2006, volunteering his time to teach first- and second-year medical students as a facilitator of a problem-based learning group. He also regularly attended grand rounds and read X-rays at the VA Medical Center.
Dr. Grissom held many leadership roles, both on campus and off, including president of the UNMC Faculty Senate, president and later councilor of Alpha Omega Alpha and president of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.
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In 1999, he received the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Service to the College of Medicine.
In 2008, Dr. Grissom and his wife, Virginia, established the Virginia and Robert Grissom Internal Medicine Senior Resident Endowment Fund to recognize superior performance by UNMC’s internal medicine residents. He also was a member of the Edward A. Holyoke, M.D., Ph.D., Society, which honors physicians who made gifts of $100,000 or more to the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education project.
As a student, James Armitage, M.D., was particularly impressed as he observed Dr. Grissom with patients. “I’ll never forget the time I watched him help a patient who had a heart valve abnormality, using just his clinical skills,” Dr. Armitage said. “That’s the single thing I remember the most, watching him with that patient. It showed me some things about being a physician, knowing and caring about the person and their situation, that have stuck with me.”
In 2006, Dr. Grissom offered this advice to UNMC medical students: “Try to be as good as you can be. Learn from each patient with the advantages of being thorough. Be considerate and respectful of your patients. Read and study research. Keep an interest in medical history, art, music and science. Enjoy life here.”
Dr. Grissom is survived by his wife, Virginia, of 64 years — an active volunteer at University Hospital and in the Faculty Women’s Club; four children, Nancy, Carol, Leslie, Timothy; and five grandchildren.
What others are saying
“Dr. Grissom is a legendary giant at UNMC and in internal medicine across the nation. He was a superb educator, clinician and scientist, who taught and mentored many. Even in retirement, he was active on the College of Medicine Admissions Committee. His personal qualities also were a shining example of modesty, honesty and trustworthiness to all he touched. UNMC and the university have lost a great man, who propelled this campus forward to achieve the vision of a world-class academic health center.” Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC Chancellor
“Dr. Grissom is one of my heroes. I’ve never known a kinder, more considerate, more gentle, dependable and genuine person. He made me feel so welcome when I first arrived in Omaha. He quietly looked after my welfare throughout my training just as he did for the department of internal medicine and the medical college. The medical community and the world is a much better place with his presence.” Anne Kessinger, M.D., professor of oncology/hematology at UNMC
“I worked for Dr. Grissom when he was, I believe, the first ‘full-time’ chairman of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. I will always remember his kindness and acknowledgement of everyone who worked in the department. To me, he always has been a real ‘gentlemen’s gentleman.'” Elaine Ryan, office associate, oncology/hematology
“I know of no one who has been more dedicated to the mission and fortunes of our medical center during the past 50 plus years than Bob Grissom. He was the epitome of a caring physician and the model of a devoted teacher. It has been a real privilege to share faculty years with him. His kindness, insight and perspective have left a deep imprint on all of us.” Paul Hodgson, M.D., former professor and chairman of the department of surgery, retired in 1988 after 26 years on the UNMC faculty
“He’s been coming to grand rounds until about two or three weeks ago. It was remarkable. He was an avid exerciser at the UNMC fitness center. He got me to come for about a year and a half, but I wasn’t in his league. It was remarkable what he did on all that equipment. He also arranged for me to join the Dundee Presbyterian Church Men’s Bible Study, even though I’m a Lutheran. We share the same birthday … he’s 11 years older than me. We’ve celebrated our birthdays together for many years along with Dr. Richard Tobin (a retired internist) and Mrs. Patricia Burton (wife of Dr. William Burton, a retired pathologist). We called ourselves ‘the Marchers.’ He’s a very wonderful individual. I consider it quite a privilege to be his friend.” Vernon Ward, M.D., associate clinical professor of medicine, a private practice internist at Clarkson Hospital, retired in 2005
“Dr. Grissom led us through decades of momentous change for our medical center. He was my friend and teacher and inspired me in the care of my patients. When he came here, there were just six people who made up the entire department of internal medicine. He had to be proud to see how the med center has evolved.”
James Campbell, M.D., professor, Department of Internal Medicine and Dr. Grissom’s personal physician
“He always had a tough time with names. He demanded that students wear their white coats and their name tags on their coats because he had such a hard time remembering their names. He would carry a 3-inch by 5-inch card in his pocket and would always write down names of people who he thought had done a good job. He loved to send people notes. We used to call them ‘Grissomisms.’ He had note pads almost like a prescription pad with his name on the top. When he would see something he wanted to comment upon, he’d write a note and send it to you. He’d tell you what a great job you did on grand rounds or ‘I listened to your radio show today and really enjoyed it.’ Dr. Grissom and I worked the hypertension clinic together for about 25 years. I couldn’t have had a more supportive, helpful and kind individual to work with. He loved being around medical students and residents. Their energy level and enthusiasm really invigorated him.” William Gust, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine, and a medical student and resident under Dr. Grissom
“Dr. Robert Grissom was a wonderful man and a great leader for the UNMC College of Medicine for many years. He’s a great friend and he’s done much for many people, including me.” Perry Rigby, M.D., former dean of the UNMC College of Medicine from 1974-78 who went on to serve as chancellor of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center from 1985-1994. He currently serves as professor of medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center.
“I first met Dr. Grissom in 1965. To a young faculty member, he was then, and was ever, a gentle, caring, and thoughtful man; concerned for the feelings of others, quiet and dignified. He was respected and honored by all — patients, students, house officers, colleagues and friends. His personal friendship was a support and encouragement to me and to many. And many are the tales of ‘The Grisser,’ but all recalled and retold with affection. The strength of the department of internal medicine today is certainly the result of his striving for excellence and the foundation he laid. Although his passing is an institutional loss, it is even more a loss to the hundreds of individuals whose lives he influenced.” Robert Ecklund, M.D., retired professor, department of internal medicine
“Dr. Grissom was a role model for all of us — the first full-time clinical faculty we encountered as we entered the second-year of medical school. He taught us the discipline of physical diagnosis to start with. He inspired me to follow his path in internal medicine and the institution he had come from — Illinois Research and Educational Hospitals. He was highly regarded there by outstanding clinicians. I returned to Omaha and was offered a position in his department. His guidance and mentoring were always important in my life and career. I shall be remembering him with gratitude.” Cal Davis, M.D., emeritus professor, internal medicine
“You can’t help but admire a man who keeps going and going and going. I was impressed by how Dr. Grissom would always come on campus for grand rounds. One time he even gave me a ride home. He drove an old car. I think it was a Ford, but he kept it in great shape. He was a good man, very conscientious. People who dealt with him invariably liked him.” Denham Harman, M.D., Ph.D., the Emeritus Millard Professor of Medicine
“Bob Grissom was chairman of medicine during my medical school years and the first year of my residency. He was a superb practitioner and teacher of physical diagnosis and insisted on the highest standards of performance. As the first full-time chairman, he brought the department from the old model of volunteer teaching to a modern department of medicine. Much of this was accomplished by recruiting an exceptional faculty. Early recruits included Mary Jo Henn, Fred Paustian, Denham Harman, Henry Lemon, Perry Rigby, Cal Davis and Bob Ecklund. He always insisted on the highest quality of medical care and scholarship and led by his own example. He would often come into the hospital on Sunday nights to check on patients and student and resident notes. In those days, both junior and senior students shared the medicine clerkship but only the seniors could write in the charts. The juniors wrote their history and physical exams and patient notes on green paper (known as ‘green meat’), which Dr. Grissom would dutifully read and comment on for the students. One way we knew how heavy his burden had been as chairman was to notice how light-hearted he seemed after stepping down. He cared deeply about education and the quality of patient care. Beneath his heavy sense of responsibility was a gentle and gracious physician who embodied all the very best qualities of the profession.” Bob Wigton, M.D., associate dean for graduate medical education in the College of Medicine
“You can make an argument that what we have here in the clinical departments are a result of Dr. Grissom’s efforts. He was the first full-time chairman of any clinical department and stories of him as a clinical teacher are legendary. I can remember him teaching me about heart failure at the bedside — it was something I never forgot and was one of my most memorable times in medical school. He was a formidable figure and a tremendous example for everyone.” James Armitage, M.D., professor, oncology/hematology section, department of internal medicine
It was obvious that Dr. Grissom loved the medical center. I think he liked being connected. Every time there was a ground breaking or some other special event, you could always bank on seeing Dr. Grissom there. He was the Rock of Gibraltar. He was a master at public relations and always would make a positive comment whenever I would encounter him. Much to my dismay (and admiration), Dr. Grissom was a faithful listener to my old weekly radio program, "Community Health Line." It just won't be the same without him around here any more. But, wow, what an incredible legacy he leaves behind.
Dr. Grissom will deeply be missed across the entire campus. My family and I were known as the gang, and the boys thought of him as the best doctor on campus. We sure will miss you! Many thoughts to the Grissom family.