Harry Statland M.D.

Harry Statland, M.D., 86, died peacefully December 20, 2003, at his home. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 23, at The New Reform Temple at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kansas City Young Audiences, 5601 Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO 64113, Attn. Hoddy Nast. Dr. Statland, a specialist in internal medicine, retired in 1991, from the Statland Clinic, which he founded with his brother in 1948. It was the first internal medicine multi-specialty group in the Kansas City area. He was elected president of the Jackson County Medical Society (1965-66) and was the first president of the Civic Health Foundation (1979-82). Dr. Statland was president of the Menorah Medical Staff (1971-72), Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center (1961-85) and UMKC Medical School (1974-85). He chaired the Core Curriculum Committee for Internal Medicine at the inception of the UMKC School of Medicine. Dr. Statland authored a number of scientific papers and was the author in 1956, of one of the first books on clinical fluids and electrolytes. The book was used as a textbook in many medical schools both in the United States and Canada. Its three editions, spanning 11 years, were also published in England, Spain, Australia, South America, Scandinavia and Japan. He lectured extensively throughout the United States on the subject. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Kansas and was elected a member of the AOA and the Medical Honor Society. Dr. Statland interned at KUMC and was a resident at Boston City Hospital in Internal Medicine. He had fellowships at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital (1949) and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (1968-9.) He practiced primarily at The Menorah Medical Center, where he initiated the first isotope laboratory for diagnostic procedures in the Kansas City area. He also introduced a Fluid Balance Service, which was copied by many medical schools and hospitals both in the United States and abroad. Dr. Statland served as a Captain in the United States Army in Germany during WWII. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit medal by General Eisenhower for devising the method of use of a gas treatment battalion. This method was incorporated into the Army Corps training manuals. Until his retirement, he was a member of the American College of Physicians, the AMA and the Missouri State Medical Society. Harry was defined by his intelligence and quick sense of humor as well as his devotion to music, the arts, scholastics and the Jewish community. He was a member of The New Reform Temple. Described as "renaissance man", his legacy includes his generous support to the UMKC Conservatory of Music, Friends of Chamber Music, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kemper Gallery, The Lyric Opera, the UMKC Library and various other organizations. He was born in St. Louis, MO, but moved to Kansas City as a child. He was married to the late Suzanne G. Statland until her death in 1990. Survivors include his wife, Alice Nast Statland; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Morris and Mildred Statland of Mission HIlls, KS; and his brother-in-law, Harry Levine of Kansas City. Also surviving Dr. Statland are nieces and nephews, Dianna and Bill Levine, Elaine and Jim Thompson, Katherine and Lawrence Statland, Dr. Barbara Statland and Ken Cleary and Jeffrey Statland. In addition, survivors include stepchildren, Barbara and Chuck Saletan, Patty and Danny Canton, Hoddy and Nelson Nast, Beth and Bill Nast and six grandchildren.