Dr. Robert Gordon Ellison Sr.

EVANS, Ga. - Dr. Robert Gordon Ellison, Sr., a stalwart of the Medical College of Georgia who helped revolutionize the field of cardiothoracic surgery, died January 8, 2006 at age 89 at the Medical College of Georgia. "Dr. Ellison's contributions as a member of the MCG faculty are incalculable," said MCG President Daniel W. Rahn. "He was directly responsible for many of MCG's most groundbreaking achievements, and he simply changed the face of health care. He will be sorely missed." Dr. Ellison, the son of John Gordon Ellison and Fredricka Fisher Ellison, was a native of Millen, Ga. Following graduation from Vanderbilt University, he received his MD degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed an internship, a residency in general surgery and a residency in thoracic surgery at University Hospital, Medical College of Georgia and a fellowship in cardiopulmonary physiology at Bellevue Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was appointed to the MCG faculty as instructor in 1947 and became professor of thoracic surgery and chief of the section of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery in 1959. He was named Leon Henri Charbonnier Professor of Surgery in 1973. He retired from MCG in 1987 as Charbonnier Professor of Surgery Emeritus and Chief of the Section of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Emeritus. He was Chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the Veterans Medical Center from 1987-1991. Dr. Ellison served as president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, Georgia Heart Association, Georgia Surgical Society and Georgia Tuberculosis Association. In addition, he held leadership positions in the American College of Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, Georgia Thoracic Society, and Richmond County Medical Society. He was a member of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery from 1971-1981 and was chairman from 1979-1981. He was a memberof Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and Sigma XI. Dr. Ellison received many honors including the Society of Thoracic Surgery Distinguished Service Award, Medical College of Georgia Faculty Recognition Award, Augusta Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award, MCG School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award, Augusta College Alumni Society Outstanding Alumnus Award, American Heart Association Richmond Columbia County Division Heart of Gold Award, Richmond County Medical Society Achievement Award, Georgia Chapter American College of Cardiology Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Medical Association of Georgia Hardman Cup. He was recently awarded the Medical College of Georgia's President's Award, The Vessel of Life. He published 133 articles in medical journals, was co-editor of one book, author of one book, and contributed chapters in 11 books. Medical education, teaching and exemplary patient care were always his highest priorities. His research contributions in the cardiothoracic surgery field included improved modified techniques for cardiothoracic surgery, investigation of pacemakers, long-term evaluation of mechanical versus tissue prosthesis, evaluation of methods of myocardial preservation during open heart surgery, long term results of surgery for coronary artery disease and transplantation of the heart and lung. Dr. Ellison established the first dedicated cardiopulmonary laboratory in Georgia in 1949 with cardiac catheterizations and pulmonary function studies being performed. He performed the first open heart surgery in Georgia in 1956. He was always high in praise for the outstanding cardiothoracic surgeons and residents, the cardiologists, pulmonary and other physicians, nurses, health professionals and support of the Medical College and hospital administration for their contributions to the program. He was a member of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, the Damren Sunday School Class, the Kiwanis Club and the Augusta Country Club. Dr. Ellison is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dr. Lois Taylor Ellison; five sons, Dr. Robert G. Ellison, Jr. and wife, Penny, of Jacksonville, Fla., Dr. Gregory T. Ellison and wife, Marty, of Augusta, Dr. Mark F. Ellison and wife, Betsy, of Athens, James W. Ellison of Augusta and John C. Ellison and wife, Jackie, of Atlanta; grandchildren, Robert G. Ellison III, Lauren Ellison, Taylor Ellison, Jr., Leigh Ellison, Sarah Ellison, Mark F. Ellison, Jr., David F. Ellison, John Ellison, Jr., Jerry Ellison; and brother, Fred F. Ellison, Durham, N.C. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Ellison Chapman. The funeral will be held Thursday, January 12, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Steve Dodson officiating with burial to follow in Westover Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2006, from 6- 8 p.m. at Elliott Sons Funeral Home, 1134 Telfair Street, Augusta. Pallbearers will be Robert L. Marchman III , Alan B. Williams, Dr. Harold S. Engler, Dr. Thomas Yeh, Dr. Joseph P. Bailey and Dr. Peter M. Payne. Honorary pallbearers will be the Damren Sunday School Class, the Faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the Richmond County Medical Society. Honorary pallbearers are requested to assemble at the church by 10:30 a.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert G. Ellison, M.D.Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia Foundation, 919 15th Street, Alumni Center, Augusta, GA 30912; or the Television Ministries of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.