Fray Francis Marshall M.D.

Fray Francis Marshall M.D.
ATLANTA, GA -- Fray Francis Marshall, M.D., Professor and Chairman of the Emory University Department of Urology, passed away on December 2, 2011, at the age of sixty-seven from cancer. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather, an innovative surgeon, outstanding physician, published author, revered educator, and inspiring leader in the field of academic urology for over thirty-six years. Clinically, he successfully treated thousands of patients with kidney, prostate, bladder and many other urological diseases while at Johns Hopkins for twenty-three years and Emory for thirteen years. At Johns Hopkins, he became the first Bernard Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Urology and Oncology, the Director of the Division of Adult Urology, and Chief of Urology at Baltimore City Hospitals before taking over as Chairman at Emory. He was known as one of the nation's top urologic surgeons and clinical researchers in urologic cancer. A colleague once said, ""You showed us how one can reach a tremendous level of success while maintaining humility and decency.'' Dr. Marshall led a dedicated life of service to his patients and the advancement of the field of urology.
Dr. Marshall was born on August 27, 1944. He was the eldest son of the renowned Dr. Victor Fray Marshall and Barbara Walsh Marshall. He grew up in New York City and graduated from Collegiate School where he was captain of both the football and basketball teams. He spent his summers in a family log cabin in Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia where he played football and soccer and graduated with distinction after three years. He pursued his medical training at the University of Virginia and graduated four years later in 1969. He completed an internship and general surgery residency at the University of Michigan. After three years in general surgery, he completed a three-year urology residency at Massachusetts General. In 1975, he moved to Baltimore and Johns Hopkins before finishing his career in Atlanta at Emory University.
Dating back to early in his career, Dr. Marshall spent a considerable amount of time with research teams in addition to performing surgical procedures and was very enthusiastic about innovation in the field. In 1984, he devised a new surgical treatment for intracaval neoplastic extension into the right atrium for patients with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) that is now a commonly utilized procedure throughout the world. In 1986, he held a patent for an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ultrasonographic stone localization. In 1991, he developed the Marshall Omni-Tract Mini-Lap Retractor Blade. His development of the "mini laparoscopic prostatectomy" that required a smaller incision resulted in less pain and shorter recovery time with excellent results for many patients while requiring fewer surgical assistants. He worked with a team of researchers in 1997 at Johns Hopkins to help develop and perform the first ex-vivo gene therapy treatment for kidney and prostate cancer. Dr. Marshall strongly believed that the future should involve continued integration of the laboratory and associated fields with urology.

During his career, Dr. Marshall co-authored more than 300 scientific papers and sixty-two book chapters, edited seven books, and delivered nearly 400 presentations. He served on many editorial boards including the Journal of Urology, Urology, Uro-oncology and the International Journal of Urology. He served on the AUA Update Series Advisory Board from 1995-2011 and was editor from 2003 to 2011. For many years, he served on the editorial board of the Urological Survey of the Journal of Urology. His honors include the 2000 Distinguished Contributor Award from the American Urological Association, honorary membership in the Japanese Urological Association and being named the first International European American Urological Association (AUA) Exchange Professor. He was a member of the American Board of Urology where he served as trustee, a vice president and on the examination committee. He is also a member of the American Urological Association, the American Association of the Genitourinary Surgeons, and the Clinical Society of Genitourinary Surgeons and was a visiting professor at many universities both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Marshall made innovative contributions to the management and surgical treatment of large and small kidney tumors, and in the areas of urologic oncology, bladder reconstructions including the continent urinary diversion for bladder cancer (ileocolic neobladder), partial nephrectomies, and less invasive prostate cancer surgery, performing approximately 1,200 radical prostatectomies at Emory. He helped Emory expand and strengthen its successful clinical programs in prostate cancer, incontinence, and cryosurgery, while also developing first-rate programs in teaching and basic scientific research. In March 2011, Emory University School of Medicine established the Fray F. Marshall, MD Chair in Urology, which will be devoted to research and will help ensure his legacy of academic excellence and innovation. The generosity of financial contributors to this chair, including many former patients, is a great testament to the lasting effect Dr. Marshall has had on his patients, friends, the field of urology and medicine in general. Having co-authored many papers and clinical studies throughout his career, Dr. Marshall also fostered the 'team' approach where he insisted that credit is only due to the entire team's efforts.
Dr. Marshall believed that the love and support of his wife and children allowed him the luxury of pursuing his productive career. He was a man of integrity, good humor and vision who spoke fluent French and appreciated the art of photography. He was happiest outdoors on his beloved mountain in Keswick, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Lindsay Wheatley Marshall, daughter Wheatley Ann Marshall of Chicago, son Brooks Fray Marshall and daughter-in-law Kami Bobbitt Marshall and grandson Otis Fray Marshall of Laguna Beach, California; brother Victor R. Marshall of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his children Elizabeth and William; brother Philip S. Marshall of Fairbanks, Alaska; aunt Virginie H. Walsh and first cousins Barbara W. Yoder, Peggy W. Northrup and James H. Walsh of California. He was also very fond of his wife's sister Emily W. Pease and brother John F. Wheatley and their spouses and children.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus in Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:
Marshall Make a Difference Fund
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 449
Atlanta, GA 30303