The Whipples and their legacies in medicine

George Whipple and Allen Whipple lived as contemporaries, but were not related. Their careers have many similarities. Both had the best available education and training. Both achieved distinction as administrator, educator and researcher. George Whipple founded the medical school at University of Rochester and was its first Dean for 32 years. Allen Whipple established a modern department of surgery at Columbia University and held the chair in surgery for 25 years. Both Whipples were published extensively and did extensive work on the gastrointestinal system. George Whipple's elucidation of the effect of liver on hemoglobin formation won for him a Nobel Prize. The work of Allen Whipple on the pancreas earned him the title of father of modern pancreatic surgical treatment. He also revitalized the surgical management of portal hypertension. Both Whipples were remembered with eponyms--George Whipple for his report on a small intestinal disease and Allen Whipple for his triad and operation. Both achieved international reputations and represented the finest embodiments of American medicine.