Edward F. Scanlon M.D.

Scanlon, Edward F., M.D.
Edward F. Scanlon, M.D. died on August 5, 2008 at the age of 89 in his home in Texas surrounded by his family. He was born in Waynesburg, PA, and attended Kenyon College from 1936 - 1940. While there, he competed in a series of national contests created to develop pilots, and was ranked first among all 10,000 pilots.
After he graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon, he attended Medical School at Columbia University in New York and served honorably during the last years of World War II.
Following the war, he completed many years of advanced medical training in cancer, both in the United States and abroad. In 1953, this extensive training positioned him well as he established a private practice in Evanston, Illinois. While in private practice, he developed an extensive cancer research program that would extend over forty years.
He and his family moved in 1955 to Northbrook where they resided until 2005. He practiced surgical oncology at Evanston Hospital from 1953 to 1989, 13 years of which he was Chief of Surgery.
Dr. Scanlon was a community leader in recognizing the tremendous growth potential of the community. In the 1960's with forethought and planning, he instigated the development of Glenbrook Hospital as a satellite of Evanston Hospital, recognizing the long-term needs of the Northbrook and Glenview communities.
In 1981, with a $3.1 million gift from the J.L. and Helen Kellogg Foundation, he conceived and implemented the idea for what is believed to be the first community hospital cancer center devoted exclusively to complete cancer care in a multi-disciplinary approach. In his approach, which was unique at the time, the center combined the best cancer care in all disciplines with the emotional and physical support of the patient in a patient-friendly surrounding. Former President Gerald and Betty Ford dedicated this center in 1982, and it remains to this day one of the top 50 cancer care centers in the country. (U.S. News and World Report)
He served as President of the American Cancer Society and Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Oncology at Northwestern University Medical School.
In 1983, he received an honorary Doctor of Science from Kenyon College for his exemplary achievement in the medical field.
He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 60 years; two daughters, Cathy Scanlon Pringle and Mary Scanlon, and three grandchildren.