John W. Kirklin

American surgeon and medical innovator

John Webster Kirklin (April 5, 1917 – April 21, 2004) was a pioneering American cardiac surgeon and medical innovator known for his significant contributions to the development of open-heart surgery.

Early Life and Education

John W. Kirklin was born in Muncie, Indiana, and grew up in a family with a strong medical background. His father, Dr. John O. Kirklin, was a prominent physician, which influenced Kirklin's decision to pursue a career in medicine. He attended Harvard Medical School, where he graduated with honors in 1942.

Career

Mayo Clinic

John W. Kirklin

After completing his medical degree, Kirklin joined the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he began his residency in surgery. It was at the Mayo Clinic that Kirklin made his most significant contributions to cardiac surgery. In the early 1950s, he collaborated with Dr. F. John Lewis and Dr. C. Walton Lillehei to develop the first successful heart-lung machine, which allowed surgeons to perform open-heart surgery by temporarily taking over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure.

Development of the Heart-Lung Machine

Heart-lung machine used in 1955

Kirklin's work on the heart-lung machine was groundbreaking. The machine, which was first used successfully in 1955, revolutionized cardiac surgery by enabling surgeons to repair congenital heart defects and other cardiac conditions that were previously considered inoperable. Kirklin's innovations in this area laid the foundation for modern cardiac surgery and saved countless lives.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

In 1966, Kirklin moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he became the chairman of the Department of Surgery. At UAB, he continued to advance the field of cardiac surgery and was instrumental in establishing the Kirklin Clinic, a state-of-the-art medical facility that provided comprehensive care to patients with complex medical conditions.

The Kirklin Clinic

Legacy

John W. Kirklin's contributions to medicine extend beyond his surgical innovations. He was a dedicated educator and mentor, training numerous surgeons who went on to become leaders in the field. His work has had a lasting impact on the practice of cardiac surgery and the treatment of heart disease.

Related Pages

• Cardiac surgery
• Heart-lung machine
• Mayo Clinic
• University of Alabama at Birmingham