Dr. Alfred Robert Cordell

Dr. Alfred Robert Cordell
WINSTON-SALEM -- Dr. Cordell, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Union, SC on October 16, 1924 to Carl Eugene and Ann Louise Elsmore Cordell.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1944 and attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for one year, later receiving his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1947. He remained at Johns Hopkins doing an internship in surgery from 1947-48. He did his assistant residency in surgery at the Yale V.A. Surgical Services from 1948-50. Dr. Cordell began his training in thoracic surgery in 1950 at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine/North Carolina Baptist Hospital. His training was interrupted for a tour of duty in the Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve as a surgeon serving in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH Unit) in Korea from January to August 1951; then serving as Chief, Dependent's Surgical Service, Portsmouth Naval Hospital from August 1951 to November 1952. He returned to Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1952 where he completed his training in general and thoracic surgery in 1956. From 1956-57 he was Visiting Instructor, Department of Surgery and Participant Project in Medical Education, University of Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Cordell returned to Bowman Gray in 1957 as an Instructor and Director of Surgical Research.
He was promoted to Assistant Professor of Surgery in 1961, Associate Professor in 1965 and Professor in 1970. In 1979, he was named the Howard Holt Bradshaw Professor of Surgery and Chairman, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery serving in that role until 1991. During that time he became one of the premier figures in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. He was an outstanding mentor and role model to his students, residents and colleagues. He was best known for developing techniques in myocardial preservation, blood conservation and establishing a pre-eminent open heart program. In September 1995 he was elevated to Professor Emeritus at which time the A. Robert Cordell Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery was established in his honor. He remained very active in departmental and medical center activities until his death and was the recipient of the Dean's Division Award in 2004.
Dr. Cordell served as president of the North Carolina Heart Association 1966-67, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association 1971-72, Southern Association for Vascular Surgery 1983-84, North Carolina Chapter, American College of Surgeons 2000-01, and North Carolina Stroke Association 2001-02. He was a member of the American Surgical Association, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Surgeons serving on the Board of Governors 1983-89, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Surgical Association, Southeastern Surgical Congress and International Cardiovascular Societe. In addition, he was very involved in community activities serving on the Board of Directors of the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, and the Twin City Club. He was a member of the Winston-Salem Downtown Rotary Club and The Old Town Club. He cherished his time with his family and many loyal and loving friends, and was an avid fan and supporter of the Wake Forest Athletic Programs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, DeWitt Cromer Cordell and son, Franklin Cromer Cordell.
He is survived by three sons, Alfred Robert Cordell Jr. and wife, Sherri, Mark Bynum Cordell and wife, Ann of Winston-Salem, and Carl DeWitt Cordell and wife, Annie of Charlotte, NC; his beloved grandchildren, Mark Bynum Cordell Jr., Carl DeWitt Cordell Jr., Samuel Rash Cordell, and Elele Grace Cordell; a brother, Edward Maurice Cordell and wife, Jo Ann, of Union, SC; and a niece, Tina Cordell of Melbourne, Australia; a sister-in-law, Mary Anne Stone, three nieces, Marian, Ellen and Carolyn; four grandnieces and nephew of Durham, NC.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Brown and Reverend Jack Yarbrough officiating. A graveside service will follow at Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the home, 349 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Office of Development of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for the A. Robert Cordell Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021; Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 W. 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or to a charity of the donor's choice. The Cordell family wishes to express their gratitude to the faculty and staff at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, their friends and loved ones for their thoughtfulness and acts of kindness. Salem Funeral and Cremation Service of Winston-Salem is assisting the Cordell Family. Published in the Charlotte Observer on 4/13/2008.