Philip Showalter Hench

Philip Showalter Hench (February 28, 1896 – March 30, 1965) was an American physician who is best known for his work in the field of rheumatology. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1950, along with Edward Calvin Kendall and Tadeus Reichstein, for their discoveries relating to the hormones of the adrenal cortex, their structure, and biological effects.

Early Life and Education

Philip Showalter Hench was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1920.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Hench joined the staff of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It was here that he began his pioneering work in the field of rheumatology. Hench's research focused on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating condition that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.

Discovery of Cortisone

Hench's most significant contribution to medicine was his discovery of the therapeutic effects of cortisone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Working with Edward Calvin Kendall, who had isolated compounds from the adrenal cortex, Hench demonstrated that cortisone could dramatically reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This groundbreaking discovery led to the development of new treatments for a variety of inflammatory conditions.

Nobel Prize

In 1950, Hench, Kendall, and Tadeus Reichstein were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on the hormones of the adrenal cortex. This recognition highlighted the importance of their discoveries in the field of medicine and their impact on the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Later Life and Legacy

Philip Showalter Hench continued his work at the Mayo Clinic until his retirement. He passed away on March 30, 1965, in Owatonna, Minnesota. Hench's contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of rheumatology, have had a lasting impact on the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

See Also

• Rheumatology
• Cortisone
• Edward Calvin Kendall
• Tadeus Reichstein
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine