Elmer L. DeGowin, MD: blood transfusions in war and peace

Elmer L. DeGowin, MD, like many of the pioneers of American blood banking and transfusion medicine, entered the discipline because of scientific curiosity and a desire to provide efficacious and safe allogeneic transfusions to patients. Much of the early impetus and financial support were fueled by the military needs of World War II. Dr. DeGowin and his colleagues provided important information pertaining to the preservation, storage, transportation, and transfusion of blood. After the war, many of these investigations continued and were applied to civilian practices. The legacy of Dr. DeGowin to provide exemplary service, teaching, and research has been sustained by the physicians and staff of the Elmer L. DeGowin Memorial Blood Center (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Ia).