1920
Charles
2016
Charles Brackett Jr.
January 25, 1920 — May 13, 2016
Dr. Charles Edwin Brackett Jr. passed away on May 13, 2016 at the age of 96.
He was born Portsmouth, New Hampshire on January 26, 1920, the son of Charles Edwin and Frances Randall Brackett.
He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School 1936, Hackley School in Tarrytown NY 1937, Harvard College 1941, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University 1944. He interned at Bellevue Hospital, NYC 1945; was a Research Associate New York Medical College 1948, and served a Residency in Neurological Surgery 1945-46 and 1949-1951 at the Neurological Institute of New York . He served as Assistant Surgeon, USN in Neurosurgery at St Albans Naval Hospital 1945-1947.
In 1952, he joined Dr William P. Williamson in the Section of Neurological Surgery at the Kansas University Medical Center, serving as Professor and Chairman from 1964 to 1987 and as Research and Emeritus Professor 1987- 1995.
In 1970-1971, he served as Provost, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs {Acting} at the KU Medical Center. During this 15 months period a detailed study of the health care needs in Kansas was made with the help of various state agencies and Kivett and Myers and Perkins Wills, architectural firms. On the basis of these studies, plans were made for a new hospital and expanded educational programs for physicians, nurses and other health care workers. Studies and recommendations were submitted to the Board of Regents November 1970 in a three volume report, Education for Health Care in Kansas. A Department of Family Practice was established in 1971 with Dr Jack Walker as Chairman.
He served as Treasurer and Secretary of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 1974-1980, Vice President of the Society of Neurological Surgeons 1979, member of the American Board of Neurological Surgery 1976-1981, and the Residency Review Committee for Neurological Surgery 1981-1987. He was the author of 48 papers on Neurological Surgery and Medical Education.
Awards included the Bowen-Brooks Fellowship of the New York Academy of Medicine 1949, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Bicentennial Commemorative Medallion for Outstanding Achievement 1967, KU Jayhawker MD Award "To the faculty member who has shown the greatest devotion to his primary duty as teacher of medical students" 1979, the KU Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching 1989, Honorary Alumnus of the Year awarded by the KU Medical Alumni Association 1989, and the Distinguished Service Award of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 1985. He treasured his exposure to over 5,800 medical students and 35 Residents in Neurological Surgery, subscribing to the old axiom that "It is the duty of the University faculty to learn from the students".
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Donna Reed Rogers Brackett and his sister Jean and brother Guy. He is survived by five daughters: Pamela Hennessey of Denver, CO; Rebecca Brackett of Santa Fe, NM; Deborah Sokol of Lenexa, KS; Beth Armstrong of Overland Park, KS; and Barbara Brackett of Phoenix, AZ., as well as eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He also leaves close friends Dr. Paul O'Boynick, Larry McMullin, and Tom D'Andrea. As Mr. McMullin says, "His amazing professional accomplishments were exceeded only by his lifetime of love for Donna and his five girls. They loved him dearly."
Cremation. Services private.
Communications: Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, 66204 913-648-6224
Donations in his memory may be made to Wilderness Inquiry, 808 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 676-9400 Email:info@wildernessinquiry.org
He was born Portsmouth, New Hampshire on January 26, 1920, the son of Charles Edwin and Frances Randall Brackett.
He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School 1936, Hackley School in Tarrytown NY 1937, Harvard College 1941, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University 1944. He interned at Bellevue Hospital, NYC 1945; was a Research Associate New York Medical College 1948, and served a Residency in Neurological Surgery 1945-46 and 1949-1951 at the Neurological Institute of New York . He served as Assistant Surgeon, USN in Neurosurgery at St Albans Naval Hospital 1945-1947.
In 1952, he joined Dr William P. Williamson in the Section of Neurological Surgery at the Kansas University Medical Center, serving as Professor and Chairman from 1964 to 1987 and as Research and Emeritus Professor 1987- 1995.
In 1970-1971, he served as Provost, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs {Acting} at the KU Medical Center. During this 15 months period a detailed study of the health care needs in Kansas was made with the help of various state agencies and Kivett and Myers and Perkins Wills, architectural firms. On the basis of these studies, plans were made for a new hospital and expanded educational programs for physicians, nurses and other health care workers. Studies and recommendations were submitted to the Board of Regents November 1970 in a three volume report, Education for Health Care in Kansas. A Department of Family Practice was established in 1971 with Dr Jack Walker as Chairman.
He served as Treasurer and Secretary of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 1974-1980, Vice President of the Society of Neurological Surgeons 1979, member of the American Board of Neurological Surgery 1976-1981, and the Residency Review Committee for Neurological Surgery 1981-1987. He was the author of 48 papers on Neurological Surgery and Medical Education.
Awards included the Bowen-Brooks Fellowship of the New York Academy of Medicine 1949, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Bicentennial Commemorative Medallion for Outstanding Achievement 1967, KU Jayhawker MD Award "To the faculty member who has shown the greatest devotion to his primary duty as teacher of medical students" 1979, the KU Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching 1989, Honorary Alumnus of the Year awarded by the KU Medical Alumni Association 1989, and the Distinguished Service Award of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons 1985. He treasured his exposure to over 5,800 medical students and 35 Residents in Neurological Surgery, subscribing to the old axiom that "It is the duty of the University faculty to learn from the students".
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Donna Reed Rogers Brackett and his sister Jean and brother Guy. He is survived by five daughters: Pamela Hennessey of Denver, CO; Rebecca Brackett of Santa Fe, NM; Deborah Sokol of Lenexa, KS; Beth Armstrong of Overland Park, KS; and Barbara Brackett of Phoenix, AZ., as well as eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He also leaves close friends Dr. Paul O'Boynick, Larry McMullin, and Tom D'Andrea. As Mr. McMullin says, "His amazing professional accomplishments were exceeded only by his lifetime of love for Donna and his five girls. They loved him dearly."
Cremation. Services private.
Communications: Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, 66204 913-648-6224
Donations in his memory may be made to Wilderness Inquiry, 808 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 676-9400 Email:info@wildernessinquiry.org
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